Christmas, First World problems and my gift of 3 Questions

We’re nearly there – only a few days to Christmas and a brand new year! I am so looking forward to it!

My goodness it’s been a tough year. Charly Hebdo attack in Paris, January; a 7.9 earthquake in Nepal, April; the migrant crisis unfolded in Europe in August; Volkswagen involved in an emission scandal, the Hajj stampede in Mecca in September, a Russian plane crashes in the Sinai Desert; Nigerians die in bomb attacks in October and November; Palestinians, Jews and Syrians all year and then of course the Paris attack in November.

And you are wondering why on earth I am reminding you of such bad sad things when I should be sending you fluffy snowflake Christmas-sy stuff! Your are right. Read on.

Christmas is a time for good stuff.
A time for a good time.
Time to go home and reconnect.
Time for cinnamon and nutmeg flavoured kitchens.
Time for laughter, opened gifts, open hearts…and family.
Time for peace. A time for love.

A time for giving. A time for sharing. The spirit of Christmas. Ideally.

Or are you still practicing the Christmas tradition of a private function for only the closest family members? Is Christmas time a time of closed doors where the true spirit of giving has been silenced by the rustling sound of expensive gift wrap and replaced by first world problems?

As my post- and inbox starts filling up with Christmas wishes from friends all over the world, I feel immensely blessed. I celebrate that I have family on 3 continents and with my thankful heart I am reminded of a happy little tune sung by Ebenezer Scrooge.

But. As I select, wrap gifts and address my own hand-written cards to family and friends far away I miss the very merry Christmas sense of “the more, the merrier” and cannot help but feel like a little “refugee” – as in the sense of “foreign”.

Thesaurus provides a comprehensive list of synonyms for “refugee” like emigrant, expatriate, homeless person, foreigner. The origin and history for “refugee” (n) dates back to the 1680’s from French “Refugié”.  In German the word “Refugium” is a hideaway. To seek refuge is to look for shelter; to seek protection. It was first applied to the French Huguenots who migrated in 1685 meaning “one seeking asylum” until 1914 when it evolved to the modern day meaning of “fleeing from home” which was applied to civilians fleeing from the fighting in World War l.

I think of Josef, Mary and the soon to be born Jesus as Middle Eastern people seeking refuge.  A family looking for shelter.

I am reminded of recent discussions getting stirred up into a hot spicy “glühwein” of anger, fear, frustration, rejection and feelings of helplessness. Most of all I am reminded of how fear closes hearts and clenches fists. If you stop right here and read no further at least watch this video about our percieved refugee crisis!

And then, I remind myself of all those who give. Give food. Give time. Give warmth. Give a smile and restore dignity.
Christmas is after all, the season of the heart…
the season of the spirit…
the season of the soul…

The Austrian philosopher Ursula Pia Jauch says: We cannot prove that love exists but we can behave as if it does. We cannot prove that justice exists but we can behave as if it does.  This “as if” is the ultimate a person can achieve. I know that envy and greed is out there but I can behave as if humanity is possible. This “as if” is a beautiful positive solution against helplessness and despondency.

As those of us celebrating Christmas in the Northern hemisphere eagerly look forward to putting our feet up on comfy couches next to the golden glow of flickering flames… and those of you in the Southern hemisphere look forward to standing around a bbq’s flickering flames under blue sunny skies drinking from the bowl of blessings and wrapping up 2015 with a big red bow, I urge you to reflect on your spirit as you give and share with your “in-group” and “tribe” this Christmas.

I also have 3 questions which I know will make a huge difference to the world (now and in the New Year) if you give yourself the time to answer them, and give of your time to do something about them, namely:

1. What are you not OK with?
2. What do you have and what are you grateful for?
3. What can you do about what you are not OK with?

It doesn’t matter what you do. It doesn’t matter how small it is. You can smile at a stranger, be friendly to your neighbour or invite someone you know is alone, to dinner. Just do it. Share the spirit of giving!

Margaret Mead said “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”  

I wish you a safe and Merry Christmas. Remember that wherever you find love it feels like Christmas!

Regards and love, Hester