We were blessed with a green Christmas, though the skies were grey. Temperatures rose to freezing point into the evening so it felt warmer. It was also the first day in three or four that didn't have major winds. All in all a great day. I spent a few hours with a small number of friends. It was pleasant to be out in a social setting, thought the specter of viral transmission was never far away.
While preparing a vegetable dish for dinner, I pondered the usual Christmas movies. Yes, as I chopped vegetables, I was doing a thematic analysis of sorts <grin>. Two traditional movies, A Christmas Carol and It's A Wonderful Life (and the many bastardizations of these two movies) contain themes of transformation, but only after learning of the lead character's impact on the world and people near to them. I've always believed in the power of one and these stories demonstrate this well. My favourite Christmas movie is Love Actually. This begins and ends with scenes from an airport arrivals area. The ensemble cast portrays many individual story lines. The key to the stories and characters lies in their interconnections both known and unknown. but mostly unknown. The airport scenes emphasize that we should look for signs of love not hate in the world -- there are many examples of both, but only one will keep us living a kind and caring life. The interconnectedness of characters in all of these movies is powerful. It is the perfect message for Christmas and all other days.
A lyric that fits with my thinking today comes from an indie rock group. The production is a bit plodding in places, but the lyrics say a lot. Keep safe. Enjoy!
A Change at Christmas -- The Flaming Lips
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