Christmas offers light in a dark time
BUG GUTS & BEAUTY
The winter holidays are here. If you plan things out and remain open to a variety of experiences it is a major set of events. Beginning with the Solstice, the longest dark period of the year, it moves along until Epiphany on the far side of the New Year. Why would a holiday begin with a period of darkness? And, such a long, dark night. Ever try finding stars in daylight? The sun is a bit bright and the sky knows this.
All those long years ago there was no way that three wise men would have been able to see any shining star during the daytime. The dark allows for more of the night sky to be seen. Travel in those times was a bit slow. There were no Ford 150’s or Chevy Malibus, power boats, cruise liners, jet planes, or rocket ships for transportation. This means that anything seen in the distance was going to require a bit of travel and while camels can move fast they do not move that fast. Plus they need to be fed, watered and cared for or they will develop a bit of a temper. Your camel might kiss you but your car won’t.
Then there is Christmas Day itself. Little is said about the inn keeper other than he had only a spot in the manger for the couple about to have a baby. Generally the story gives short shrift to the inn keeper forgetting the issue of charity. The keeper was swamped and was trying to show charity. During that long night of Christmas the animals too showed charity. Charity shown to a mother, baby on the way, and new father was rare. Remember they had gone to many other places and been turned away. All of us could be a bit more charitable for strangers that we do not know.
The Three Wise Men by now are on the road following a star that was bright in the night sky. There were no Irving or 7-Elevens in those days. Most likely the three wise men had to make do with camel stops and blankets. They knew that a baby was born. Time was passing and the men were moving as fast as they could.
New Year’s came up all of a sudden and there was a brief moment where everyone counted down from 10 and let out a few yells. The camels snorted and cavorted then it was back to the trail. “Happy Trails Again” had yet to be written and Bing Crosby and Bob Hope still had not been to Morocco.
FInally, Epiphany arrives. For journalists this is the ultimate moment. Finally, confirmation that this baby, the small one over there with the sheep is the official baby! Hit the Headlines, call Oprah! Beam up the satellite trucks, we have found the One. Let the celebrations begin. To a crazy serenade of whoops and hollers one group of faithful celebrates. For ordinary folk this comes out to almost two full weeks of light and happiness in a long, dark winter.
Enjoy the Holiday season with a modicum of charity, some humbleness and an appreciation for the chance to enjoy a period that would be pretty bleak without a light. Camel kisses are wet and slurpy.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in the County. He began his journalism career at WAGM television later working in many different areas of the US. After twenty years of television he changed careers and taught in China and Korea. Graduating from UMPI he earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina.
