Christmas is all about belief, whatever the materialistic gloss.
A decade ago I was pretending I believed in Father Christmas to my boys. I am glad I don't need to do that any more.
For many this is when they remember the birth of Christ, and I completely respect that, even if the birth narratives inform little in my own faith; saying which, the Magnificat is a stunning indication of what those who wrote them thought this faith was about.
At a secular level it is a time when we reconfirm our faith in family and friendships, and it is none the worse for that. This is essential, and worthy of a festival.
This all seems especially poignant this Christmas. The last year has challenged the faith of many. In a nutshell, the standards of tolerance and respect of others that are at the heart of all true religious faith and which underpin liberalism have been challenged.
Brexit was a challenge to a political and economic order that had forgotten not just that duty of tolerance and respect, but the obligation that comes from it to care.
The election of Donald Trump reflected the same sentiment.
The rise of so-called political populism is a persistent theme in current commentary. This, however, contrary to the Daily Mail's opinion, is not the same as pro-Brexit opinion and is mis-described because I am not sure it is as popular as is said. And nor is it populist: isolationist would seem to be a much better term for the thinking involved. The last thing it does is embrace populations.
If this is the case though I think Christmas is a time to restate beliefs.
I believe in the equality of all people.
I believe in the right of each person to a life well lived.
I believe in the right to live without fear of prejudice.
I believe in the right to speak and be heard.
I believe in our duty to care that is as strong as our duty to ourselves.
I believe in our right to participate in democratic government.
I believe each person deserves the protection of the state.
I believe in the sanctity of life and that states should not threaten it.
I do then believe in peace on earth and goodwill to all.
And I believe that is what Christmas is about.
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Well said, Richard. I doubt I will find a better Christmas message.
Jonathan Freedland had a excellent piece in yesterday’s Guardian which should be read in conjunction with your blog, Richard.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/23/dishonest-attacks-metropolitan-liberal-elite
I seldom read the Guardian comments any more, but I couldn’t help but note that Freedland was under attack from the hate merchants of the right. If you identify the opposite to everything in the list you have here that would be their manifesto. That such belief and sentiment appears to be in the accent, driven on and supported by the usual misrepresentations and lies of the dominant right wing press is a shocking reflection of where decades of neoliberalism have taken us as a race.
Anyway, enough doom and gloom. Have a great Xmas.I may well be “offline” now until the New Year.
Ivan
Enjoy, if you read this
Best
Richard
I agree that populism is far too gentle a term for Trump , Farage etc.. I prefer right wing nationalism.
I heard today that a friend of mine employed by a neighbouring council has just been made redundant as of last week.
His wife still has a job and they have two girls – one of whom has just started secondary school. He’s been made redundant twice now in the last 4 years and he is just touching 50.
I’m sitting here looking at our Xmas tree and the presents under it and it feels somewhat unreal. I consider myself lucky for now – for the next 2 years at least.
I for one will be having a very thoughtful Christmas this year and I appreciate and concur with the thoughts in your blog.
Happy Christmas PSR
Yes. Very well said.
Amen to all that Richard.
For me, 2016 has stretched my belief in hope, in fact hope looks to be illusury. Whilst I embrace your beliefs I feel that they deserve more than hope. Personally, I prefer intent, it resonates with action.
If we are to combat isolationism we should surely intend to have things be different and take action accordingly.
The challenge, for me, for 2017, is to discover what that action may be.
All the very best to you and your family Richard. Let’s intend that 2017 is the year in which we see effective counter action to the creed of isolationism. We may surprise ourselves.
We might!
I have intent as well as hope
Well said!
You’ve been a beacon of hope for so many of us this year, Richard. Hope that somehow we can make a difference to the gnawing fear of the future, and create havens of peace and light in our own families and community.
My father was a Quaker. He created that haven during his lifetime. He’s still remembered by many in the small Welsh border town to which he retired.
I hope that this year I can help to start in building something similar.
Peace and love to all those who share Richard’s hopes.
Jeni
And thanks for all your retweets during the year
Have a happy Christmas
It’s disappointing when history jags when we’d like a straight line but we have to endure and be ready.
See Ta-Nehisi Coates in The Atlantic (Jan 2017).
As long as you remember Paul that history ‘jags’ only because some people insist on having it all – a level playing field for themselves and an assault course for rest of us.
Tell me why does anyone have to ‘endure’ the misery at the hands of others?
That is not my idea of freedom.