To us a child is given

No, no - we haven't been keeping a big secret! This is the newest member of our extended family - a nephew. One of the joys of the Christmas family gatherings was meeting him for the first time, as well as meeting all of the older family members again!

Christmas traditions

I read an article by Julian Baggini in yesterday’s Herald about the true meaning of Christmas in 2008. Basically he argues that the use of the word true introduces an element of subjectivity, and so we need to remove it and then take the “Martian-eyed” view of Christmas, if we want to discover its meaning today. He concludes that the meaning of Christmas revolves around families.

Two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, with families come traditions – some good, some… well, let’s say stuck in the past. We had our first family Christmas celebration yesterday with the Fish Wife’s family in Fishtown. It didn’t go entirely smoothly! The events of the day served to remind us that as we are now firmly embedded in our middle age, so her parents are now old… and things will have to change in the future.

The second thought was prompted by an entry over at A Sideways Glance, which prompted the thought that there is a community aspect to Christmas. This could be about the office parties, church events, or just friends getting together. Now if we read the biblical accounts of the first Christmas, it was basically a community event. There was no extended family for Mary, Joseph and Jesus – they were joined by fellow travellers, working shepherds, wandering magi.

Is there a point to all of this? Maybe it’s just to say that our traditions are not always what they seem (a theme that I’ll return to some time soon), but let’s make the best of them and

Have a happy Christmas.

My favourite Christmas card

I hope I don’t offend anyone by singling out one of the many Christmas cards that we’ve received, but I really liked this one. The picture is called Aurora by Ryan Bliss.

It’s actually a corporate card - from one of the professional associations that I belong to. Usually I find that this type of card comes with some sort of ‘tinsel-ly’ version of the corporate logo, fit only for the recycling pile. There are two reasons why I liked this one. Firstly, it was sold in aid of a charity which provides independent advocacy for young people who are in residential care, and I think that it’s a good way for my association (The Association of Directors of Social Work) to spend money if they choose to send Christmas cards to their members.

But the main reason that I liked the card was the image on the front of it. It seems to fit with the way that I feel about Christmas this year. It’s alright to join in the festivities of the season (provided we don’t behave excessively in any form of consumption). At this time of year it’s good to have some fun and relax. This is a long-standing tradition in the dark, chilly northern winters. Yet, it seems to me that there is another message in this card – that while the festivities and Christmas lights might be in the foreground, there is something cosmic happening in the background. For many people, that’s how it will stay. But for me, as we approach Christmas Day, the emphasis is changing. I’m taking the time to focus on the cosmic aspect, to meditate and reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth. This may sound a bit trite – but I’m happy that I’ve found a way to bridge the gap this year… and not to be seen as the Christian killjoy moaning about the commercialisation of Christmas.

Christmas is what we make it – either a time of fun, relaxation and rejoicing or of stress-filled moaning and negativity.

Earlier this week I found this quotation, and while it’s out of context… it does seem to fit the bill.

“In the midst of the noise, rush, distractions and soul-neglect, we make space for God to speak to us and renew our relationship with him.”

Friday photo: Snow capped

The Christmas party dilemma

Every year it happens to me. I agree to go to the office Christmas party. Why? Well, to be honest, simply out of a sense of duty. After all, I’m the boss and it’s important to be seen at these things. Then the day of the party comes around and I really don’t want to go, and I promise to myself that next year I’m definitely NOT going. There are some convincing reasons why I shouldn’t go – it’s an additional commute only at the weekend; it disrupts family time; since I’m driving, I don’t drink – which means that I see and remember things more clearly than most of the others. But really these are just excuses, as I attempt to justify my future non-attendance to myself. Does the attendance of the boss boost morale or put a damper on the enjoyment of others? I don’t know – maybe a bit of the former. But for my staff group the latter seems to be completely irrelevant, which is great! So, last might I duly went, and had a fairly good time. The food was mediocre, and the behaviour was boisterous. But I’m glad I went, and I did enjoy myself – staying much longer than I had intended at the start of the evening. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have the staff group that I do. All of the teams mingled freely during the evening, there was much laughter and fun, three people who left us during the year came back for the party, and I didn’t feel like too much of a party-pooper. It’ll be interesting to hear some of the tales on Monday, although I recognise that I will only hear the edited highlights! Will I go next year? Almost certainly. Who knows I might even try to forget that i'm the boss, and just have some (sober) fun!

Friday photo: Winter's dawn

Mundane, whimsical anarchy

I heard the news today that Oliver Postgate died - he's the creator of Noggin the Nod, Ivor the Engine, Bagpuss and the Clangers. (For those who don't know, they're all children's television shows, popular in the UK before the presence of multi-channel mind-numbing inanity.) My favourites were the Clangers - funny pink creatures that lived on the moon and spoke in whistles. Or so I thought, until I discovered that the whistles were used to represent English words. Postgate got into a bit of trouble with the (then) uptight BBC for the clip below. Now I don't usually think that swearing is big or clever, but I do like this clip for it's realism and Postgate's subversive streak in including it on a children's programme for Auntie Beeb. They certainly don't make them like they used to!! (And yes, there is more than a little irony in Jonathan Ross' presence on that episode of QI!!)

Fire in the sky

This photo was taken this morning. It's completely un-edited, not 'Photoshop-ed' - just as it was snapped.

The sunrise was breath-takingly beautiful. Words completely fail me... I can't begin to describe it.

In fact, for the last couple of days the light around here has been absolutely amazing. So more images will follow in due course. And later in the week I might even get around to stringing a few words together for an entry (but then again...!)

Friday photo: cold and twisted