Yesterday afternoon, I was strolling past St Peter Mancroft - a magnificent old church in the heart of the fine city of Norwich - as a steady stream of worshippers were emerging into the cold air outside.
Happy Christmas to you. You'll note I did not say happy holidays. Not a Christian myself but very irritated by the determined efforts I see often to make Christmas invisible. Your post was a nice reminder of its importance.
Well said, I'm an atheist and was brought up without any religion yet we've always enjoyed all the traditions and sentiments associated with Christmas. Even venturing to midnight mass on accession which, despite my general discomfort with organised religion, always gave a feeling of community, shared values and belonging.
Happy Christmas Paul, you make such good sense and always with humility. As others say please carry on with your commentaries - I hold you up as a bit of a beacon in these divisive times as you manage always to express exactly what I’m thinking!
Christmas very much matters to us, to me it's huge but I'm a Catholic. Christianity is, in my opinion, the bottom line of a good society. It's about caring, being kind to one another; 'love thy neighbour', not killing or hurting one another. Jesus Christ taught the complete opposite of Mohammed. He taught respect for women. He didn't marry a 6 year old or rape women, he showed respect and love for them. Given a choice, I don't have one because my faith doesn't give me a choice, but it would be Christianity everytime. He taught/teaches us 'to love one another as I love you' what could be better than that.
My Christmas starts with a beautiful Mass on Christmas eve. Carols are sung loudly for the world to hear, followed by a very holy service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Loving words spoken to my fellow parishioners wishing them a happy holy Christmas and peace to be with them - true Christianity. No violence, no abuse just peace and love.
Having only recently subscribed to your site I have only just come across this article. You write so passionately and articulately on every subject you cover. I’m pleased that you are so determined to defend our culture and traditions, but in a thoughtful and intelligent way. And yes, Kathleen’s letter is very poignant and moving.
A happy Christmas to you too Paul. Perhaps you may have noticed that on Facebook there is a great deal of visual imagery connected to celebrating the past in our country two or three decades ago or even further back. The photos of our towns and cities and countryside, kids playing in the streets, people happily shopping, schools where the milk crate is brought into the classroom, church going et al. An age of comparative simplicity reflecting, beyond simple nostalgia our country feeling at ease with itself where you proudly identified as being British.
I won't begin to recount the litany of what is wrong with us now. We both feel the same about that. In a northern market the traders are now cautioned about using the word 'Christmas' as it might offend another faith. A 'Winter Festival' is the recommended phrase to use.
What have we allowed to happen to our country?
The great political philosopher of the eighteenth century, Joseph de Maistre wrote:
'Every nation deserves the government it gets'
Implicit in this is the idea we must always take an active part in ensuring that governments are held to account in every way. But in contemporary Britain the dark shadow of censorship and an attack on free speech looms as it did in totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century.
Keep up the crusade Paul. You are not alone. You have greater access to the media than we do.
Don't be intimidated or cowed. Best Wishes for a great festive time. Charles
Merry Christmas Paul and thank you for your words of wisdom and sanity. God bless ✝️🙏❤️
Happy Christmas to you. You'll note I did not say happy holidays. Not a Christian myself but very irritated by the determined efforts I see often to make Christmas invisible. Your post was a nice reminder of its importance.
Well said, I'm an atheist and was brought up without any religion yet we've always enjoyed all the traditions and sentiments associated with Christmas. Even venturing to midnight mass on accession which, despite my general discomfort with organised religion, always gave a feeling of community, shared values and belonging.
What a wonderfully well said piece. Merry Christmas to you and your family and thank you for speaking up.
Happy Christmas Paul, you make such good sense and always with humility. As others say please carry on with your commentaries - I hold you up as a bit of a beacon in these divisive times as you manage always to express exactly what I’m thinking!
Happy Christmas to you Paul and your substackers.
Christmas very much matters to us, to me it's huge but I'm a Catholic. Christianity is, in my opinion, the bottom line of a good society. It's about caring, being kind to one another; 'love thy neighbour', not killing or hurting one another. Jesus Christ taught the complete opposite of Mohammed. He taught respect for women. He didn't marry a 6 year old or rape women, he showed respect and love for them. Given a choice, I don't have one because my faith doesn't give me a choice, but it would be Christianity everytime. He taught/teaches us 'to love one another as I love you' what could be better than that.
My Christmas starts with a beautiful Mass on Christmas eve. Carols are sung loudly for the world to hear, followed by a very holy service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Loving words spoken to my fellow parishioners wishing them a happy holy Christmas and peace to be with them - true Christianity. No violence, no abuse just peace and love.
Having only recently subscribed to your site I have only just come across this article. You write so passionately and articulately on every subject you cover. I’m pleased that you are so determined to defend our culture and traditions, but in a thoughtful and intelligent way. And yes, Kathleen’s letter is very poignant and moving.
A happy Christmas to you too Paul. Perhaps you may have noticed that on Facebook there is a great deal of visual imagery connected to celebrating the past in our country two or three decades ago or even further back. The photos of our towns and cities and countryside, kids playing in the streets, people happily shopping, schools where the milk crate is brought into the classroom, church going et al. An age of comparative simplicity reflecting, beyond simple nostalgia our country feeling at ease with itself where you proudly identified as being British.
I won't begin to recount the litany of what is wrong with us now. We both feel the same about that. In a northern market the traders are now cautioned about using the word 'Christmas' as it might offend another faith. A 'Winter Festival' is the recommended phrase to use.
What have we allowed to happen to our country?
The great political philosopher of the eighteenth century, Joseph de Maistre wrote:
'Every nation deserves the government it gets'
Implicit in this is the idea we must always take an active part in ensuring that governments are held to account in every way. But in contemporary Britain the dark shadow of censorship and an attack on free speech looms as it did in totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century.
Keep up the crusade Paul. You are not alone. You have greater access to the media than we do.
Don't be intimidated or cowed. Best Wishes for a great festive time. Charles
A belated Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, Paul,