Dr Seuss’ classic Christmas tale has enthralled generations of children since it first appeared in the 1950s.
It follows the Grinch, a grumpy, cave-dwelling creature who attempts to put an end to Christmas by stealing presents from the homes of a nearby town. The story has a happy ending, but more on that later.
How the Grinch stole Christmas is of course a work of fiction, but for many Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ around the world, this year’s Christmas feels like it has been well and truly cancelled.
I had intended to host a small gathering, but a friend I invited, never one to mince her words, put it rather harshly, “just stay home”.
With troubling case numbers in the Klang Valley and a new, more deadly Covid-19 strain discovered in the United Kingdom, who can blame her though?
Anxiety about Christmas being cancelled and not being allowed to celebrate the occasion has been a constant theme in British media for the last few weeks now. And the UK government finally decided they did not have any other alternative but to put many parts of the country under lockdown during this festive period.
Reining in Christmas, the argument goes, will save lives and will benefit society as a whole. The backlash from the British public was predictable. Not being able to meet family, not being able to have a few pints down at the local pub, not being able to attend parties – Brits are big on nostalgia during Christmas but with Covid-19 numbers exceeding two million and almost 70,000 deaths, this isn’t the time for nostalgia.
Back home, I know many people are upset that the conditional movement control order in the Klang Valley has not been lifted.
It has in fact been extended to Dec 31 and there is a distinct possibility that this could even be prolonged into the new year.
But despite the toll of the pandemic and resulting economic hardship, many businesses have demonstrated resilience.
These businesses – F&B outlets, shopping centres, etc – have put measures in place and have remained relevant and open for the sake of commercial survival.
In this year of restrictions, we’ve already had muted Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations.
Christmas will not be any different. Travel restrictions have been lifted, but SOPs, just like for the other festivals, restricts the number of people that can gather to celebrate the occasion.
But does this mean we can’t have a meaningful Christmas celebration? Staying home doesn’t mean being terrified of going to the supermarket and getting essentials for the occasion. Staying home doesn’t mean you can’t hug your loved ones and enjoy a home-cooked meal with them.
But if you really want to do something meaningful, this year-end is the perfect time to think of the less fortunate. Many charities in this pandemic year have been hard hit in terms of funding as corporations scale down on their corporate social responsibility projects and individuals cut down on their donations.
This has certainly impacted the well-being of these charity homes. So, before you click that button to get that next gift that you don’t really want, think of what your RM100 or even RM50 could do for the less fortunate.
So, try getting a bunch of friends together, visit the supermarket, buy some essentials and donate these items to orphanages and old folks homes. That is the true spirit of Christmas.
Dr Seuss’ Grinch realised this belatedly, because it dawned on him that “maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more” than just presents and feasting.
He ended up returning the gifts he stole to the townsfolk and celebrated Christmas with them.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant a reboot of sorts for mankind. It has made us rethink how vulnerable we are and how dependent we are on social interaction.
It also brings into stark reality the fact that we have to be a lot more responsible for each other and for society as a whole.
For those of the Christian persuasion, allow me to quote one of the greatest theologians who walked the earth, St Thomas Aquinas.
“Christian life cannot dispense from the Cross since it has no meaning without the heart-pressing weight of duty.”
May the weight of duty drive you, dear reader, to not lose courage.
May the weight of duty drive you to be more responsible as we fight this hidden enemy that has not been conquered yet.
May the weight of duty carry you through as fathers, mothers, children, employees, government servants and politicians to do what is right for the sake of the common good and not for selfish reasons.
A blessed Christmas to all those celebrating and a very peaceful and happy New Year. May the year 2021 bring you resolve, hope and charity.
By BRIAN MARTIN.
Read more @ https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/on-your-side/2020/12/25/the-true-spirit-of-christmas