2013 is coming to an end and I am sitting here, looking at my simple nativity set and thinking how sad it will be to put it away until next Christmas as that will mean that my favourite time of year is over. This becomes a natural time of the year, as I face packing away my nativity set, to stand back and reflect on what was, especially when what was has gone so quickly. Two days ago, I got an email from Fr Tom, bemoaning the fact that all he got for Christmas dinner was a hamburger and then pledging that this will not happen again in 2014. A simple enough expression of a life experience but it shows the dynamics at work while we move on from year to year. There is a "never again" component to life but, as we know so well, there is the constant repetition of the same themes in life and we ask - Why do we keep doing the same things to get the same results?
I had reason to recall a seminal book for me in my life journey. It was entitled - "Victim, No Longer" (I think). I wish I still had the book to share with a new found friend here in Bangkok as his life remains affected by a destructive and unasked for past.
I read my Christmas cards and I am struck by two from special friends. One contains a wish for 2014 that is less of bishops and more of fulfilling ministry. Another from a good family assures me that I am a special person in their lives.
I think then why does 2014 have to be a repeat performance of 2013. You know what? This year, I will not put my nativity set away. I am going to keep it out and enjoy it all year and remind myself that Christmas can live on all year round. You may think I am mad. I don't care.
Happy 2014!
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