The joy of celebrations ... Jo Carroll

Only the super-organised, the serious prevaricator, or those spending the festivities alone will have time to read much today. And so I'm offering nothing more than a passing thought for anyone who might drop by here.

For none of us can escape the reality that the western world is shutting down for a few days. The razzmatazz of shopping and visits to Santa will die down and we have time to eat and drink and play with those we love. Sometimes, as we settle to our feasting, we can almost believe that this is the most important festival in the world.

But hold on a minute. What about Diwali? What about Ramadan and Eid? What about Hanukkah?

All over the world, we celebrate by eating together. We tell different stories, have different gods, but we all find reasons, regularly, to spend festive time with those we love, and to share food.

Those stories, those gods - they help us to make sense of ourselves and why we are here, and why we need each other. They seek to explain the creation, evolution, the dominance of humankind as a species. (Scientists tell different stories, and often have evidence to back them up. We can discuss the religion vs science debate another time.)

And so, when I'm sitting with my family, at a table weighed down with goodies, I shall try to raise a glass to all those with stories to tell.

And then, no doubt, a grandchild will jump on me. Once upon a time ...

(If you've time to drop my some of my travelling tales, you'll find links on my website.)

Comments

Wendy H. Jones said…
Merry Christmas Jo, enjoy the festivities
Susan Price said…
Yes! - Wherever you are.
And all our readers, wherever you are - if you celebrate Christmas, or any other end of year festivity, enjoy yourselves!
Dennis Hamley said…
Yes, may you all have wonderful Christmases. And great New Years too. Just read some uk headlines about floods, broken railways and blocked roads. Here in Queenstown NZ it's clouudless, sunny and hot. Guess where I'd rather be!

Popular posts

A Few Discreet Words About Caesar's Penis--Reb MacRath

Never Mind the Author Workshops, What Shall I Wear on World Book Day 2024? wonders Griselda Heppel

How to Live with the End in Mind: Wendy Mitchell’s Choice -- by Julia Jones

Brain on a Train -- Umberto Tosi

A writer's guide to Christmas newsletters - Roz Morris