In the first week of December, I received a Christmas gift which will have given me more joy than any material object I can imagine: a photograph of my three-year-old grandson James Carlos appearing as a shepherd in his nursery school Nativity play.
Sent electronically, the wonder in the child’s face transmitted to me a message of immense sweetness. And in a way, it could have been any child. Even though the kinship connection to James is obviously special to me, there is something suggesting hope, awe, promise and the light of the world in a young child’s face when involved in the Nativity story that I think would be meaningful to anyone.
The way in which his home-made keffiyeh – the Arab-type headdress worn by desert dwellers – is just slightly askew adds to the charm of the picture. And the young children around him come from a variety of multicultural backgrounds, all participating in this same lovely tradition of re-enacting the birth of Jesus.
As I have previously mentioned, I believe that the Christmas Nativity play is a key aspect of the experience of growing up in Britain today, as well as being an awakening element in the Christian story.
The Nativity play weaves together all nations – and all classes – in the narrative of a refugee family seeking shelter where their child can be born. It is both very old and very immediate. It is at the heart of the Christian story, but it is also at the heart of the human story.
A friend in Italy, who is not particularly religious and to whom I sent the picture, messaged back that it was welcome news that children in Britain are now allowed to have Nativity plays again. There was a time (and for some, it still applies) when it was considered an impolite imposition on those who were not Christian.
But even for those who are not religious, or have other religious affiliations, the Nativity can be experienced on many different levels. The Bethlehem story is one in which children can enter into so naturally, and yet be so inspired with awe. And seeing a child’s reaction to it is truly a joy.
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I wouldn’t have voted for Donald Trump but he has been duly elected according to the American constitution, so it seems churlish that so many American musicians have refused to play or sing for his inauguration day on January 20.
The list of musicians and artists who have spoken abusively about Mr Trump is quite considerable. Granted, some of them are cross about politicians using their songs without permission in campaign rallies, and they’re entitled to be consulted in these matters.
The Rolling Stones, Adele, Elton John (who has categorically refused to play at the inauguration), Brian May of Queen, Neil Young, the estates of George Harrison and Pavarotti have all rebuffed any connection with President-elect Trump, as has Bruce Springsteen – who has previous form, having first objected to any association with Ronald Reagan back in 1984.
It comes as a surprise to me that Mr Springsteen identifies himself as Catholic (despite his Dutch name, his family links are Irish and Italian), and writes, in his autobiography, Born to Run, that “once you’re a Catholic, you’re always a Catholic”. The faith in which he was raised gave him the beginnings of his songs: “In Catholicism, there existed the poetry, danger and darkness that reflected my imagination and my inner self.”
Perhaps someone with a Christian forgiveness might relent and perform music for the Trump inauguration. Or perhaps Donald Trump should do as the New Testament suggests – go out into the highways and byways and find the humblest person available to serenade his banquet.
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A “Christmas tree farmer” – that’s an arborealist who grows and sells Christmas trees – in Co Wicklow in Ireland has reported a difference in his sales demands between the North and the South.
In Northern Ireland, the tree-buying public tend to like smaller, neater, somewhat austere trees; in the Republic of Ireland, his clientele like bigger, more pine-laden, more ostentatious trees.
Ah, behind all politics is culture, and the roots of culture, like the roots of trees, go deep!
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