The World in Festive Splendour

 The author of this week's quote adds another dimension to it, being Elie Wiesel. Who was, according to Wikipedia, "a Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor."

He wrote, "The world appears in festive splendour to those who look at it without desire."

At this time of year, when we decorate our houses (both inside and outside) and our shops and our streets, the world may indeed seem to have "festive splendour." But I'm not sure that is what Wiesel was talking about. The meaning of his words is much deeper. He seems to be saying that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and that if we can detach ourselves from our desires, anything can look beautiful. Whereas, if we cannot detach ourselves from our desires to have other than what we already do, then the most beautiful scene or object may seem tawdry, cheap, not enough. 

So perhaps our challenge this Christmas is to truly appreciate what we have - to look at it with new eyes, so that we can appreciate its "festive splendour", rather than casting envious glances towards the lives of others. If we watch too many TV adverts, with their visions of happy families getting together, silly paper hats on their heads and corny Christmas jumpers stretched across full stomachs or dresses of velvet and glitter, and of tables groaning with delicious food, and our own lives are less than ideal, it can be easy to be seduced into believing that everyone else is better off than we are.

Nevertheless, it is true that these visions are far from the reality for many people As I have written before, Christmas has a darker, largely unacknowledged side. There are many lonely people who simply don't have anyone to share Christmas with, who wouldn't feel like celebrating even if they did. For them, the contrast between their lives and the Christmas projected through the media can exacerbate their feelings of isolation, panic, stress and depression. Christmas becomes a season to be got through somehow, rather than a time of joy and sharing.

So perhaps we should also have these people in mind, and do our best to make their Christmasses a little better, a little happier, in whatever way we can. Perhaps by making a donation to a food bank, or a charity for the homeless, or taking the time to visit a neighbour whom we know is alone. It doesn't take much to make a positive difference.

Not only for them, but also for us. Because if we can concentrate on the needs and desires of others, it will have a beneficial effect on our own perceptions of this complicated season. 

May your Christmas be full of festive splendour, and may you share your joy with others.