The 2021 census reveals that only 46 per cent of UK residents describe themselves as Christian. Yet what seems like 100 per cent of the population celebrate the most important Christian festival each year on December 25.
Indeed, almost 100 per cent seem to celebrate the other great Christian festival, Easter albeit that revolves around chocolate eggs and, in Workington, the annual Uppies and Downies games.
Of course, there are those, this Cat included, who would ask if the 46 per cent who describe themselves as Christian are participatory Christians – those who go to church on a regular basis and live their lives by the doctrine of Christ, with peace to all and love they neighbour as thyself?
This cynical Cat sees very little in the way of Christianity in Christmas. I love the annual carol service at the local church where I can completely destroy some of the most popular, traditional songs, on a par with most American singers banging out the Stars and Stripes at the Superbowl. And, as a follow on, watching Carols from Kings on Christmas Eve to see how it should be done.
Yes, the Cat family exchange gifts and by that I do NOT mean taking the gift with the receipt to Marks & Spencer to get either the money back or a better size. (Other high street stores are available but their number is dwindling.) These days you are more likely to take the gift to a returns collection point at the local garage.
And, yes, the carnivore Cat family does have turkey and ham at Christmas but while the servants also have Brussels sprouts and something called ‘stuffing’ the Cat gives these a wide berth which is just as well, if our servants are anything to go by, as it leads to a slumbering afternoon in dispersed with occasional wind breaks which, inevitably, the canine is blamed – and we don’t have a dog!
Even this feast fit for a king doesn’t seem to spoil the servant’s appetites as the evening will see the cheese board appear, alongside chocolates and Christmas pudding accompanied by much belching.
All the above food is accompanied by a variety of drinks, mainly of the alcoholic variety. There will be mulled wine, although why anyone would want to spoil a perfectly good wine is beyond me, and some sparkly stuff with Himself, the Butler, preferring craft real ales.
The day will end with party games. And that’s it with the January sales followed by a six-month lull before the Christmas stuff is back in the shops in late August.
Yes, all very jolly but it isn’t Christmas. It is a marketing tool, a commercial, end of year, opportunity which I call the ‘museum effect’ – visit a museum or similar and at the end of the tour will be a gift shop, ready and eager to take your cash in return for a memorial brochure or a postcard.
But is there just a glimmer of the true spirit of Christmas in this annual feasting?
The spirit shines through when we take a moment to celebrate what we have, family and friends being at the heart of our human existence. It is outside these circles that we extend the gift of giving to reinforce the real Christian spirit of Christmas by helping others.
In between the socks for Auntie Joan with her poor circulation or a book token for brother Tom who is usually limited to the racing pages, this simple act can extend to a donation to a homeless charity or to the brilliant Sally Army who are out on the streets 24/7, every day of the year.
It can be a donation to a cancer or heart charity as we remember Grandad Bill who left us in the summer. It could be to the RNLI or mountain rescue, those individuals who put themselves at risk for others, or the air ambulance or Guide Dogs. It could be a commitment to help out at the community Christmas dinner where those on their own can come together somewhere warm and have a social and filling meal. The opportunities for soul-warming acts of generosity are plentiful. We just have to grasp them with both hands.
It doesn’t take much – £10 can go a long way and £20, the cost of a round down the pub, even further. A few hours of your time, maybe, or just an extra few tins in the foodbank collection box in the supermarket, can make all the difference to someone’s life.
However we celebrate Christmas, from this Cat to each and every one, peace on Earth, goodwill to all and please give generously to the Cats Protection League.
About Cumbria Cat
Born in Cumberland and, from 2023, will be back living in Cumberland, having spent most of the past 50 years in some place called Cumbria, this cat has used up all nine lives as well as a few others.
Always happy to curl up on a friendly lap, the preference is for a local lap and not a lap that wants to descend on the county to change it into something it isn’t. After all, you might think Cumbria/Cumberland/Westmorland is a land forged by nature – the glaciers, the rivers, breaking down the volcanic rocks or the sedimentary layers – but, in reality, the Cumbria we know today was forged by generations of local people, farmers, miners, quarriers, and foresters.
This cat is a local moggy, not a Burmese, Ocicat or Persian, and although I have been around the block a few times, whenever I jump, I end up on my feet back in my home county. I am passionate about the area, its people, past, present and future, and those who come to admire what we hold dear, be it lakes and mountains, wild sea shores, vibrant communities or the history as rich and diverse as anywhere in the world.
