Love it or hate it we are about to endure another Christmas, irrespective â the media and commercialism wonât have it any other way.
The religious significance may have diminished, and perhaps ultimately it depends on the amount the individual attaches. The fat red effigy of Coca Colaâs 1930âs marketing, Santa, may have supplanted the British tradition of Father Christmas, (the spirit of the woods, in greens and browns), but then his origin is itself utterly Pagan as is the Yule log, mistletoe, holly, ivy and even 25th December â the end of the winter solstice.
The date is symbolic rather than historical fact, but the sentiment of peace should be welcomed whatever time of year. We donât have world peace and even if we wonât have it in our lifetimes, it shouldnât stop the trying. What we do have is peace in Western Europe, and after some 2000 years of trying, thatâs no mean achievement.
I propose a toast to the British soldier and all those behind him, without whom all this would not have been possible, unlike the politician, without whom all this would not have been necessary.
[align=center]
"Here you are! Don't lose it again."[/align]
[align=center]_____________________________________________________________________Philip Zec â 1945[/align]
A Merry Christmas
No.9
The religious significance may have diminished, and perhaps ultimately it depends on the amount the individual attaches. The fat red effigy of Coca Colaâs 1930âs marketing, Santa, may have supplanted the British tradition of Father Christmas, (the spirit of the woods, in greens and browns), but then his origin is itself utterly Pagan as is the Yule log, mistletoe, holly, ivy and even 25th December â the end of the winter solstice.
The date is symbolic rather than historical fact, but the sentiment of peace should be welcomed whatever time of year. We donât have world peace and even if we wonât have it in our lifetimes, it shouldnât stop the trying. What we do have is peace in Western Europe, and after some 2000 years of trying, thatâs no mean achievement.
I propose a toast to the British soldier and all those behind him, without whom all this would not have been possible, unlike the politician, without whom all this would not have been necessary.
[align=center]
"Here you are! Don't lose it again."[/align]
[align=center]_____________________________________________________________________Philip Zec â 1945[/align]
A Merry Christmas
No.9
