Its a cold, cloudless night. Looking through the window, I admire the constellation in the sky. I have always found star-gazing peaceful. The fire crackles as it sparks to life. Earlier that day I dragged out Seven-foot Christmas tree through the house, and into our sitting room. After an hour I had managed to put it in the stand and water it. As well as untangle the fairy lights, I had brought down from the attic, and put them on the tree.
The film, The Polar Express was on television. The story is about a boy who does not believe in Father Christmas, However a trip to the North Pole changes all that. The dogs were snoring softly as they basked in-front of the fire. Whilst watching the film it made me think of the spiritual side to our childhood.
When we are young, we are told about Father Christmas ( Saint Nicholas.) And his Rain-deers. Some children even write letters to " Santa" telling him what they would like for Christmas. Then they send the letter up the chimney! However as the years go by and we become older, we realize that Father Christmas, is not real. However there was a real Saint Nicholas who lived in Greece,Who did bring toys to children.
Throughout the Christmas season, The world seems to be more connected than usual. Well I think it is anyway, People may have different views. We all enjoy giving joy to people, and wishing them " A merry Christmas" or " Happy new year" For children, Christmas is nothing but a magical time, full of presents. Christmas is a time to look back on the year, and think about what you would like to do in the next.
Father Christmas is an iconic figure, all throughout the world. He is a symbol of generosity and " Childhood" Even though we know he is not real, We still like to reminisces on the times we used to go to his grotto or feed the Reindeer. The film The Polar Express, made me think of the transition phase we all have.
The "transition phase" is the change that children go through, when they realize Father Christmas is a Fictional character. All that magic seems to vanish, The world seems a different place for a while. However if you are interested in the spiritual aspect of life, you delve into reading about mythology, and the paranormal. " Magic " does exist in the world, but just in a different form, than what you were expecting.
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Comments
Your conclusion inspired a question that I meant to ask after reading your wizzley the first time and so many times thereafter. The last sentence notes that " Magic " does exist in the world, but just in a different form, than what you were expecting."
What example would you give, if asked, of the different way that magic exists throughout our lives during and after the transition phase?
Perhaps the magic need not disappear if also attention is paid to the people who continue the sharing that Saint Nic was known for.
Would it not seem like the magic persists if we remember that undoubtedly unbroken line of generous, Saint Nic-like warm-hearted gift-givers and happiness-sharers? Would it not seem that at any given nanosecond in the world someone is doing Saint Nic-like goodness?
The Saint Nic image is crisply clear even as I find the image leftward of your title even more crisply clear.
What time of the day would the image have been taken, and would the cooperative lighting be due to all artificial light, all natural light, such as from candles, fireplace fire and sunlight, or combined artificial and natural sources?
Your image of Saint Nic attributes Google as its source.
But might your image to the left of your title be one of your own? If so, what type of camera was used?
Your last sentence both cautions and observes that "The "transition phase" is the change that children go through, when they realize Father Christmas is a Fictional character. All that magic seems to vanish, The world seems a different place for a while."
Would it not be possible that the above-mentioned Christmas magic does not have to diminish or disappear if at least some of the best-known, widest-circulating Father Christmas stories were take from Saint Nicholas' actual deeds, experiences and words?
I meant to say that I really love your bringing up the tradition of throwing Santa letters up the chimney!
I never remember finding mine lying around even as I remember always getting presents that I liked. So that would mean that they were delivered by the reindeer to Santa, right ;-D?
Revisiting your wizzley before, during and after the Christmas season 2021-2022 brought to mind something that I had intended to mention way back with the first reading and my first comments.
Christ Jesus indicated, as memorialized in the first verses of Matthew 18, that we enter the kingdom of heaven by becoming child-like.
Is it not possible that Jesus Christ refers precisely to what you conclude, with "The 'transition phase' is the change that children go through, when they realize Father Christmas is a Fictional character. All that magic seems to vanish, The world seems a different place for a while. However if you are interested in the spiritual aspect of life, you delve into reading about mythology, and the paranormal. 'Magic' does exist in the world, but just in a different form, than what you were expecting"?
Father Christmas exists for me as the "Spirit of loving and giving " at a precious time of year.
A lovely article.
Arabella Mortimer Hendry, Me too, I agree that "'Magic' does exist in the world, but just in a different form, than what you were expecting."
The Father Christmas transition phase makes me think of a story I came across when first beginning Vipassana meditation. The meditation-committed father and mother heard an older child tell the younger to hold onto everything that he was hearing and seeing (that adults normally don't) since it all was beginning to vanish for him.