The Harry Potter Alliance

By Andrew Slack

December 24, 2009

Merry, Happy, and Blessed Everything!

Whether it’s Christmas, Channukah, Solstice, Eid, Kwanzaa, Yule, New Year, or Festivus (for the rest of us), this is a time of year of tremendous celebrating.

Some celebrations are dedicated to reverence (midnight Mass is tonight!) others to complete irreverence (rare to find any one in a “reverant” mood on New Year’s Eve. But regardless of tone, regardless of religion and faith, there is “holy” theme that runs through all of this holiday season. As the Earth reaches it’s darkest times of the year, multiple cultures including secular ones reach out and celebrate light.

Whether it’s the lights on the Menorah, the lights on a Christmas tree, or the big crazy ball of light that falls every year in New York City – we are all looking around at a wintry world cast in darkness and somehow it allows to see a wonderland that is decorated by light. The Christmas spirit is all about merriment and generosity and bright colors (think Santa’s wardrobe and Rudolph’s nose) set at a time of such wintry darkness. It is, in some respects, “the most wonderful time of the year” for it is a time where the darkness allows us to huddle in warmth and reach out through thought, action, and prayer to all of those still in the cold.

They say it is darkest before the dawn. But in the holiday season, the light of dawn and the pitch black of midnight intermingle in a divine yin-yang balance that the whole world is celebrating through its reverence towards birth, intention, light, humor, partying, family, singing, and so much more.

Those who do not feel included in these celebrations because they feel alienated from their friends and/or family of origin or even themselves – may be able to take comfort in knowing that there is no “should” or “have to” to the holiday season. The holiday season is a reminder that darkness is okay. Even when it hurts. Even when the cold bites and the lack of sun causes seasonal depression – the light is right here for us to bask in. So even if you feel more alienated by the holiday season – this is okay. And you will get through this!

But for everyone, may we all bask in the beautiful sight of Christmas lights against snow. Of people coming together. And children believing – believing that “reindeers really know how to fly.” If we believe it is true, together, then on some level it is. For just because it’s happening in our heads, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

And regardless of how you treat this holiday season (whether it is the most wonderful time of the year for you or whether you just can’t wait until it’s over), I hope that it treats you well. Let the light that so many of us celebrate now carry over into those bleak winter days of January when dead Christmas trees litter our streets upon dirty slushy snow and winters that seem to stretch without end. They always do get transformed to spring. Light always does emerge. Even in the darkest days – like right now, there is a no better time to rejoice, sing, pray, and celebrate.

May this be a beautiful moment of holiday bliss for each of you. And if you’re in a “bah humbug” kind of mood, well bless you too.

So Merry Everything. Happy Everything. Let light shine out on to all of us as we approach this new decade of this new century and millenium. And can someone tell Santa to please not give any coal to any one this year even if they deserve it. Coal is not good for the environment. And send him some low carb cookies too. Lord knows, the man could afford to be a bit healthier so he can keep making these annual treks!