MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear Readers,

It’s that time of year again when the Christmas of one’s dreams rarely aligns with the Christmas of one’s reality. Still, we need to aspire to greatness during this festive season, so that we can reach (like Michelangelo’s Adam with his outstretched hand) for something that resembles joy (or God)—especially given the relentless, tumultuous chaos our insane age has thrown at us like a sped-up VHS tape.

As for me, I’m like a cultural chemist, attempting to alchemise all the essential ingredients that ensure a sense of tradition, magic, and ritual. By now, you should know the drill (or at least my drill): A Box of Delights here, a La Bohème there (Act II especially), a dash of Russian opera, a smidge of Home Alone 2, and some John Rutter Christmas carols with a little Vince Guaraldi Trio thrown in for good measure. If you’re feeling more heavyweight, you might include Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander and The Magic Flute, along with Kieslowski’s Dekalog.

I’ve experimented with so many permutations of my Christmas cultural roster by now that it’s becoming more like a giant highlight reel of things I once enjoyed as a full meal, but now merely sample as a quick bite.

Still, I believe that as long as you keep some continuity in what Christmas means to you—be it cultural, spiritual, or experiential—then hopefully, you’ll find that flicker of magic amidst the midwinter darkness that reignites your soul for the year ahead.

If not, there’s always the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special to look forward to. ^^

Merry Christmas!

Digital Renegade

24th December, 2024