This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Christmas, Xmas, Natale, Navidad, Noel, Yule, the Holidays: whatever you call it, it’s at the end of the year that family is most keenly on our mind.
It’s the time when we find that essence of goodwill in our hearts that seems to get lost at other moments of the year. A time when we smile just that little bit more, bid strangers compliments of the season and hum songs with the word “jingle” in them. A time when distance seems immaterial and we board trains, planes and automobiles to get back to those we call family, even if only for the shortest of times.
To gather together at this time of year, and forgive me for setting the scene in the country of my birth, when it’s cold outside and the wind blows through on its way to the North Pole, is the most warming thing that can be done.
To trudge through icy streets, where not a creature is stirring, wrapped in your favourite wool coat, a scarf wound tightly around your neck, a hat screwed firmly on your brow, your arms full of presents and a bottle of something warming tucked into the pocket of your coat, brings a youthful exuberance to your grown up demeanour.
To sit at a table festooned with sparkling lights, tinselled ornaments amid branches of holly and ivy mixed with festive colours of red and green, makes the heart seem to grow younger and fonder.
As the dishes of roasted meats and vegetables are consumed and the mulled wine flows, my mind is drawn back to Christmases past, when the colours were less digitised yet seemed to hold a special warmth all of their own.
As candied fruit fills your belly and glasses of amber liquor warm your soul, you look around at the smiling faces of your family. Is it a dream, or do they seem to be younger in this most festive of moments? A light seems to shine from each and every one of them.
Your head tells you that you’ve probably had enough to drink, but your heart dismisses this as churlish and shows you them as they truly are, made simply of love and light. It also remembers the ones that you have lost. Even they remain, especially at this time of year.
Because when all is said and done, as the year draws to a close and the darkness draws us close inside the folds of its winter cloak, it’s time to gather round the yule log for warmth & light, to keep the flame burning through the solstice and celebrate the wonder that is the family in our own uniquely special way.
Best wishes to you all, and to all a good night.
