Seriously?

We all rely on routine. Our daily obligations and rituals form the glue that holds our fragmented lives together. I think that points to why Christmas is so stressful for some of us. Christmas breaks our routine. Christmas interrupts the pattern of our essential rituals.

A little chaos is good for the human spirit. A taste of the unexpected is to be savoured. An element of surprise keeps life interesting. But Christmas can bring too much chaos, a year’s worth at once, threatening to overwhelm a carefully constructed sense of order. Memories of the stress brought by Christmases past only serve to reinforce that threat and turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

For someone who enjoys a very privileged existence, I am shamed by my failings at Christmas. I’ve been trying hard to think of those with routines that are crushing, with rituals that are imposed rather than chosen. We possibly all need to do that.

I felt very proud of Roam and Shenny this morning for suggesting that we make up a dozen sweet and savoury food bags to distribute to the folk on the streets in the centre of Leeds. They were very gratefully received. We soon ran out. The kids went to see a film. I went to the library, looking for a few photographs en route. There was no shortage.

Merry Christmas everyone.