Life must have been grim under Oliver Cromwell’s puritan regime during the Commonwealth of the 1650s. Even Christmas was abolished. Mind you, life is fairly gloomy today with one Christmas effectively cancelled caused by Covid lockdowns, paralysis of many public services, especially transport, and a squeeze on household budgets due to high inflation. But back in 1660, with the restoration of Charles II, Christmas was revived and, over the years, became more of an excuse for a secular festival than a religious celebration.
Christmas is a time of joy, of roaring log fires, of family gatherings. Over three or four days, we eat and drink too much, we exchange gifts and visit members of our families whom we see rarely at other times of year. What began as a couple of days off has become a fortnight’s holiday, two weeks when the whole country closes down.
In the commercial razzmatazz, we tend to lose the real point of Christmas. Even the tradition of Christmas carols has become so hackneyed, with piped versions playing in all shopping precincts, that few ever consider the words or the meaning they convey. A decreasing number of us go to church to celebrate the birth of Christ and spread the message of ‘peace on earth, goodwill toward men’. There is precious little sign of that in the Holy Land where it all began two thousand years ago but, then, neither side is Christian.
In the developed western countries, almost entirely Christian, the event is an excuse for an orgy of extravagance, of alcohol, food, decorations and presents. The 2021 census showed that less than half the population of England and Wales describe themselves as Christian, down to 46.2% from 59.3% in 2011. We have become multicultural, perhaps, but also more secular. This may explain the increasing polarization of public attitude, we are a deeply divided society, less tolerant with less community spirit. That is something we should consider this Christmastide.
I have been known to suggest that arable farmers take the winter off, spending their days shooting or hunting, autumn work finished, waiting for warm spring sunshine to start work again. Whilst this may be overstated, there are many farmers who work hard at this time of year, especially livestock producers. They are not alone, of course, many people work over Christmas, not least hospitals and emergency services. For the sake of domestic harmony, perhaps I should also mention the ladies, wives and mothers, who spend the entire festive period preparing banquets and clearing away the debris.
There are those who produce for the seasonal market, turkey farmers, Christmas tree growers and many others. That has been more stressful this year with avian flu causing the mass slaughter of poultry with the consequent potential shortage of turkeys and eggs. The high cost of energy, in particular, has meant that the sale price often fails to cover the cost of production.
But, however hard these people have worked in the run-up to Christmas, at least they have the holiday off. Lying in bed over the Christmas and New Year holiday, think of the livestock farmer already hard at work to provide you with milk and meat, butter, cheese and poultry products, the shepherd out in the freezing half-light feeding his flock and checking the health of his ewes. Or the dairyman, up way before dawn, thawing out the pipes to milk his cows, only to repeat the procedure in the afternoon, making even Christmas Day little different to any other day in the year.
I do not seek to single out farmers for special pity; I merely point out that farming has become even more uncertain in recent years, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But, however much farm incomes have come under pressure or production decreased, very few in this country have ever gone hungry. We are used to foods imported from all over the world as well as that produced at home. Meanwhile, there are millions around the globe suffering serious hunger, without rain for crops, countries riven with civil war and disease. Even in this country there are many this year who are struggling to afford to keep warm and feed themselves.
So, as you tuck into your seasonal feasts, as you collapse into a chair promising never to eat another meal, pause for a moment to consider the plight of those with nothing to eat at all. As famine somewhere in the world is inevitable this Christmas, let us give thanks for European plenty and be grateful to farmers whose diligence and initiative brought it about.
Even, or perhaps especially, in these difficult times Christmas should bring joy and hope. It is not about the value of presents, a display of wealth, but the opportunity to show care and love for family, friends and neighbours. And let us show a little humility to think again of the message of Christmas, of those around the world or even at home who have little cheer and less hope.
A very Happy Christmas to all readers of this column.