Christmas: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Magic

When I was eleven, some kids in my class told me that Santa did not exist. I replied that it was the naughtiest thing to say. He lives and brings me presents every year!

The kids started laughing, so I turned my back and left them basking in their small, magicless and emotionless bubble. I instantly knew they would be on Santa’s naughty list!

When we returned to school after the winter holidays, the same kids told me that their parents gave them Christmas presents. Well, at least somebody loved them enough to compensate for the lack of magic in their lives, I thought.

Beyond excessive capitalist consumerism and gluttony, there must be a reason why almost an entire planet celebrates Christmas. 

There is this little ancient Romanian legend regarding Christmas that I love and would like to share with you.

The story goes that on December 24th, two thousand years ago, a young woman named Mary was about to give birth. She asked Santa Eve to offer her lodging for the night. But Santa Eve was poor and had nothing to offer Mary, so he sent her to his younger and richer brother, Santa Clause.

Mrs Clause received Mary, but because she knew Mr Claus was a grumpy and nasty old man, she took Mary to the stable to give birth. 

Helped by Mrs Clause, Mary gave birth to a little boy she named Jesus. The animals in the stable who witnessed the birth compassionately provided heat through their breathing to the little boy shivering in the manger.

Somehow, Santa Clause heard about this and was angry that his wife allowed a stranger on his property and helped deliver her baby. So upset he was that he cut off Mrs Clause’s hands. 

Mary immediately took pity on the poor woman and healed her hands right back on, as if nothing had happened.

On witnessing this miracle, Santa Clause repented for his wickedness and went on to become the nicest man in history.

That same night, rich Santa decided to share all his fortune with the poor children. Ever since, on Christmas Eve at midnight, he celebrates the birth of Jesus by riding his sleigh full of gifts to each house where there is a nice child and leaves at least one gift under the Christmas tree.

The fact that history repeats itself, and before Jesus, there were Mithras or Horus, or Krishna is not of massive importance right now. As you grow up and your knowledge horizon expands, you will read and understand more about human history and our actions on this planet.

Mind you, you won’t hear a thing about any of this in school, but there is a reason why there are books! You only have to have the interest to know more than what an educational system or another is imposing on you! Remember that what you read is what you are!

What matters now is that, hopefully, you’ve been nice and Santa has read his list (and checked it twice!)

And know one thing: magic beats technology! No matter how many cameras you hide in the house to catch him sneaking in through the chimney and how many Santa traps you set, he has his magic ways. As you wake up on Christmas morning, you will find your presents underneath the tree and will know that you are loved! Even if there might be nothing recorded on camera – maybe there was a blackout during the night!

Dear kids, it would be fantastic if none of you would ever lose innocence! Life will happen and try to take it away from you, but the illusion of magic and the joy of giving will keep it alive in your souls! Hopefully!

If you need to know, I’m now in my fourth decade in this life, and Santa keeps bringing me gifts every Christmas. My child asked me if he ever missed. Nope! Never!

Two years ago, though, I did not receive exactly what I asked for, but that was not Santa’s fault. Bring Me The Horizon, my favourite rock band in the world, was a bit slow in releasing Amo, and Santa found himself in the difficult position of not being able to fulfil a wish out of billions. 

I am kindly asking BMTH to plan new music release before the end of the year if possible, please! After all, the elves are only trained to make wooden toys. In all honesty, even if they would record music, carols would probably sound a bit weird in alternative metal, not to mention that Oli Sykes shouting Silent Night would be something else, indeed!

Oh, this year I’m optimistic. I know Post Human is out and hopefully already packed and tied with a red bow, in Santa’s sack!

Have the Merriest Christmas ever!