THE WUHAN CHRISTMAS BLESSING

  The clouds before a snow seem to drop almost to the earth, the air feels heavy, and a little damp. Sometimes there is a wind that accompanies the snow, but often there isn’t even a whisper of air movement. The first flakes begin to come down, fluffy and wet. Then, suddenly, the snowfall intensifies, it becomes so thick youcan’t see ten feet ahead of you.

I remember as a boy I thought such a snowfall was magical. The entire world narrowed down to a tunnel of whiteness, everything became blanketed in crystal beauty. As a lad I would be thinking of the snowmen I would create, the snowball fights I could have, and the sledding I could do; maybe school would even be canceled! As I got older such a snow was a mixed blessing, I would have to shovel when I got home from school, but the snow would mean I could track animals out in the bush, and maybe practise building a snow shelter. The older I got, and the more responsibilities I shouldered, changed my view point about a big snow. A big snow just made for harder travelling, and more work to do. A pristine first snowfall lost its magic, it became just the white stuff I had to sweep off my vehicle before I could drive to work. This was my condition for a long time, but I have been forcing myself (as I grow even older) to remember the magic. I accomplish this by remembering past snowfalls from when I was a boy, and forcing myself to stop and experience that fairytale downward drift of huge white flakes. A shift takes place, and I am once again thrilled by the magic.

   Have you ever experienced a shift of perception as you get to know a person?  Maybe it’s a new friend or coworker. You have spent time with this person, and talked about this or that. As your relationship moves on, one day, your perception of that person does a radical shift. Maybe you’re deep in conversation one day, and that person is opening up a bit; then like a lightning bolt, you see that person with completely different eyes. Sometimes even the physical appearance of the person changes in front of you. That persons physical characteristics never really changed, but your perception of them suddenly does a radical shift. It is important that you keep these examples in mind as we go further and discuss this mixed-up, messed up, year of 2020.

   So much has gone on this year. 2020 feels like the year that has lasted for ten. The shutdown of society in the spring was met with disbelief, but the jokes abounded, and most people just tried to put a good face on it. The summer seemed to bring a little relief, like when a cramped muscle finally relaxes. The mask wearing and constant mixed messages were still there, but everyone was distracted a bit, and life stumbled on. Then fall came. Just like the aforementioned muscle cramp, the BS clamped down once again, and the pain is worse than the initial affliction. Businesses that had hung on by a thread are now facing annihilation, education interruption is becoming permanent, and everyone sees this more and more as a catastrophe rather than an inconvenience. The mood of society is careening into blackness and despair. The only control on the people is fear, fear of a disease that hardly anyone understands, fear constantly pumped by a lying media, fear of fellow citizens, and the fear of a growing tyrannical government.

   It’s not as if the Wuhan flu is fake, it’s a real virus. The people out there that have lost loved ones are going through hell, but mankind has always lived in the shadow of one disease or another, even the common flu kills many people every season (at least until the ChiCom flu showed up anyway). This time around, however, the elites response to the chop fluey “pandemic” has been over the top; with tyrannical shutdowns and a screaming media. It makes a person wonder what they’re up to.
   In the midst of all this fear, confusion, and shutdowns, lies some of the most revered holidays of the western world. Thanksgiving in the Americas, with Christmas and new years coming soon after. These are the times for friends, families and co-workers to meet, mingle, and spread some “good cheer”. Lord knows everyone could use some of that right about now. Nope! “Holidays are cancelled”! Say the petty virus dictators. Then there is the religious aspect to the Christmas season, a time congregations meet to sing, pray, and celebrate the birth of the Saviour. But that is not allowed either, say the “experts” (who are hired by the tyrants), worship is just too dangerous. Of course everyone remembers how it was just fine to break protocol in order to loot, protest, riot, and burn; somehow the media woke scolds were just fine with that. It is also ok for the “elite” to party, go to hair dressers, travel, etc. Do as we say, not as we do, seems to be the message. “So”, you might be asking, “just where is that blessing you alluded to in the title!” Well, stay with me here, and open your mind to a shift in perception.
   I grew up reading historical accounts of Christmases past. My mother loved Christmas, and collected stories about her favourite holiday. Then there were the stories I heard from elders, about the Christmases they remembered. There was often a theme to these stories, many of them were a bittersweet fondness for a Christmas that, even though it happened in a tough time, was memorable for its “magic”. It was as if the bitterness of poverty, loneliness, or depravation, made the holiday more meaningful; made it shine with a miraculous light in spite of the hardship. The celebration of Christmas has been around for a long time, our culture has celebrated it in spite of calamities, depressions, world wars, and yes, pandemics.
   Even our mythological stories have this theme when it comes to Christmas. The Whos down in Whoville came through and sang Christmas carols in the town square, while in the midst of their (Grinch caused) depravation. The singing of the whos was so moving the ol’ Grinch himself softened up and went misty eyed listening to them. The Grinch even got a bigger heart out of the deal. Also, who can forget that grasping, scraping, clutching covetous old sinner Scrooge! A deeply jaded and bitter man was Scrooge, but he was turned around by the spirits making him visit his happy (but poor) employee (and family) enjoying Christmas. Ok, so maybe the foretold death of Tiny Tim, and Scrooge himself, played a part as well; but you get the idea.
   How many times have you heard the lamentations of people about how commercialized Christmas has become. How many times has the holiday become a blur of parties, concerts, shopping, etc; and the whole thing just whizzes by leaving you almost relieved it’s over. Maybe Christmas has almost become a chore in the past few years, any magic you once felt has dwindled to nothing. Ever wondered, out loud, or just to yourself, “what is it really about anyway”. Now it’s been taken away, no parties to attend, no baking needed for the concerts or company. A lot less shopping to do, extended families are even forbidden to meet. It’s all different now. Maybe this is the moment to ponder “what is it all about anyway”.
   I hesitate to become too specific about how “your supposed to feel” in this situation; everyone has a different cross to bear. Some are stuck at home with a family that has been driving them crazy, others are alone. Some are going to defy this stupid lockdown, others are genuinely afraid to mingle. Some are afraid of meeting lest they get “reported” by a neighbour, others are so alone no one is even looking at them. It doesn’t matter, this Christmas can be a reason to drop further into a black depression (many people do even in “normal” times), or you can decide to make that shift in perception.
If you decide to “break the rules” and meet with friends or family, God bless you. During the first world war there were some soldiers on the western front that decided to break some rules. Soldiers from both sides (after hearing each other singing Christmas carols) decided to meet with the “enemy” in no man’s land and exchange food, a blessing followed. I’m sure that the “Generals” on both sides wouldn’t have been pleased by that “rule breaking”. If you’re with that family that’s driving you crazy, you are blessed to have them, now take control and live in the moment at Christmas. Start a tradition, do some little ritual things like lighting a candle, trimming a tree, or baking a special cookie; make it meaningful, make it fun. If you find yourself alone at Christmas, unable to go out, then you have the blessing of solitude. Make it meaningful, do something traditional, force yourself to count your blessings; practise gratitude for what you have.

   As with all things in life, your attitude is a choice. There is no doubt that 2020 is rife with fear and confusion. The media is constantly pumping its message of fear and moral indignation to anyone who “doesn’t take covid seriously”. The whole message leaves thinking people angry, and ignorant people afraid. I have no doubt that the “elites” will only change THEIR plans if the cameras are on them, if they get caught, they will mealy mouth and blather. ANGER, CONFUSION, FEAR; turn it all off for Christmas. That is a special gift you can give yourself.
    If you are still wondering, “whats it all about anyway”, let me explain. Christmas is about a Creator that loves his creations so much He decided to become one of them. He came as a baby, to a girl named Mary, long ago in a little town in the middle east, called Bethlehem. There was no place to stay in the town after a long trip so she gave birth in a stable. The baby was named Jesus, and he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. This was a huge event that had been foretold by prophets, and was heralded by angels. The angels didn’t appear to kings or to cities, but to some Shepards in a field. The message from the angels was simple, on this day a saviour has been born, Christ the King. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all men.
The promised messiah had finally come. That; is what Christmas is all about.
    During these troubled times, maybe separated from loved ones, unable to travel, or meet with friends, you could take some time to find a bible and read that story, we can all use some good news. These times can give us the blessing of a little soul searching, deciding what’s really important in life. There are some big shifts coming I think, people you thought you knew, will look different now, priorities in your life are already changing. It’s possible that some of the magic of Christmas will slip into your life in 2020. Let the spirit of Christmas into your life, not (just) in spite of the ChiCom flu shutdowns, but as a result of them. Maybe just pondering, and looking for the “Wuhan blessing”, will be the blessing itself.    Merry Christmas.

-Ranger