Reflections on a Simple Past | 09. Seeking Whispers in Advent
Somehow, the gentle puffing of the Santa Special 36 years ago has endured in offering us an expectant journey to a magical world. During Advent, let us seek a deeper whisper in the air.
In this series, I look back at some of the people, places and things which have so richly influenced and inspired my love of all things simple.
When you cast your eyes over today’s post, it will be Advent Sunday, the start of a season of preparation in the run-up to Christmas. I’m happy to shun the hustle and bustle in favour of a slower and simpler approach to the festive season, and in this, I suspect I’m not alone. In fact, in this most busy of seasons, I seek pockets of stillness, that in those moments, we might see and hear a deeper whisper in the air. As both life and work has changed over the years, December has become one of my quietest months, and I rather like that.
From as far back as I can remember, December has been busy with preparations for Christmas. These days of course, Christmas begins earlier and earlier; the Christmas aisle had appeared in our local Tesco store before the end of August. In moving the beginning of Christmas seemingly earlier each year, I think that we so easily lose our grip on the simple, and often magical traditions which the season of Advent brings.
If families are going to have traditions, then surely, we will find many centred around Christmas. Conversely, we were never really that sort of family. The run-up to Christmas seemed to be a hotchpotch of different outings and events, none of which became particularly deep-seated traditions.
One Christmas tradition which did endure for a few years was partaking in the Santa Special on the Severn Valley Railway. A steam train, mulled wine (I’m not sure what children had), a mince pie (warm!) and a very small gift from Santa himself feels like the epitome of simplicity by today’s standards. This year, we have seen visits to Santa’s grotto advertised as anywhere between £25 and £75 per person!
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I can remember helping Granny to decorate her little tree which was surrounded by paper kings and shepherds made many years previously when she was still teaching. Her simple, shiny red and green decorations, all homemade, hung in the window. By contrast, it was many years before we had a ‘real’ tree, but we nevertheless partook in the annual pastime of checking all the bulbs to get the lights to work. Then, we embraced the 1980s tinsel and foil decorations, now considered suitably ‘retro’, but now we enjoy the simpler things, and quite honestly, far less clutter.
But we have to remember, this is Advent, and Christmas isn’t quite yet here. We are allowed to enjoy the quiet expectation of the moments to come. Somehow, the gentle puffing of the steam train 36 years ago has endured in offering us an expectant journey to a magical world. Look outside in the weeks to come, and you will see houses bedecked with coloured lights and other festive illuminations. I’m some ways, this is our way of seeking light within the darkest months of the year, but amidst the dazzling displays and psychedelic illuminations, we can allow ourselves to seek something much simpler within the darkness. A single light is all we need, so that in the words of Andrew Pratt:
Deep in darkness we begin,
dark outside and deep within.
Now ignite a single flame,
shadows form, let light remain.
If society has its heart set on the razzmatazz of a Bethlehem depicted as Tokyo High Street, then even more, I crave the stillness and darkness of Advent, that in the expectant waiting, we might find something magical and special.
Maybe if we look further inside…
This coming week, I will celebrate my 41st birthday. In case you missed it, in this rather bumper post, I reflect on those four decades, pondering those things which stand out most.
Reaching 40: Time, Place & Acceptance
As I pass a milestone birthday, I ponder the last 40 years. I'm faced with some hard questions, but overall, an acceptance that we journey forward, celebrating being here, in this place, at this time.
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My folks are taking our kiddos for a ride on a local Christmas themed steam train this month. My dad is a train fanatic so it's the perfect day out for young and old 🚂 Some traditions still remain ❤️ Thank you for sharing your advent remembrances David.
“Let us seek a deeper whisper in the air.” I love that line.