KEY POINTS:
Recently I sought a copy of Handel's Messiah. After the fourth music store and the fifth salesperson who had never heard of either, I began to wonder at the education of the young. Having assured me that he had entered "Handle" in the shop's system and no such composer existed, one young man was slightly miffed when I suggested an alternative spelling.
Another woman, fetchingly head-dressed in antlers, asked if the Messiah was what people might seek as Christmas music; a third one tapped ";Missia" into her computer and announced conclusively that neither they nor any other shop in the chain possessed a recording of this (obviously obscure) work.
Such a level of ignorance of one of the greatest oratorios among a group of otherwise apparently intelligent people is surely a serious deficiency, especially as none expressed any interest in finding out more about it. It is not that all should like the work - or believe its message - but to not know it and not care is very sad. Ignorance of Shakespeare and the Bible seems increasingly common, yet how can one comprehend English without knowing both?
There's always at least one merchant of misery when the occasion calls for universal celebration, so may I first declare my joy at the Christmas rush. I love the dazzling shop windows with their flashing lights and gaudy overkill of sensual delights. Anxious people agonise over the gift for a difficult aunt - but she will receive one; children of all ages skip the streets in wonder awaiting the revelations of Christmas morning's treasures. School is over, work takes a break, holidays begin.
Spare a thought for those who work through the celebratory days. We choose to do so yet we too enjoy the season in our own equally satisfying way.
Americanisms that are paralysing us at Christmas are the bland "season's greetings" and "happy holidays". This may be an effort in inclusiveness to encompass all forms of belief or non-belief, but to me it is an insufferably pathetic denial of a reality.
We don't yet have to fear that in wishing each other a happy Christmas we will be sued by the local rabbi or swami for not including them. We are not, nor ever have been, a Christian country, but we are one where the Christian values of freedom and equality, of humanitarian concern and the equal value of all people of all nations has had a profound influence on our culture and values.
The development of science and democracy, of personal liberty and the freedom to dissent have all arisen from our Christian heritage.
Of course there have been and still are glaring anomalies and appalling injustices in various corners of our history and current life, mostly identified and being worked on and by people with the full variety of belief systems we subscribe to. Through history a few misguided Christians have - to note Pascall's chilling observation - "killed for God" but that is long past us, a total blasphemy on every Christian value.
Atheist, nationalist and fundamentalist ideologies have killed far more people in recent centuries if you'll pardon the odium of comparison. I work with an interdenominational team to provide a safe haven ashore for international merchant ship seafarers from some 30 nationalities and every religion and philosophy. They expect citizens of a country such as ours to celebrate Christmas. Many Hindu and Muslim seafarers are surprised at how little spirituality is evident in our visible Christmas. One Chinese seafarer after a walk up Queen St observed to me that "it doesn't look that different from shop windows at home".
The infinite unconditional eternal love of God becomes the humanity of God in Jesus. The annunciation message remains as powerful and as urgent as ever: "To you is born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord. Peace to all people on Earth!"
The Messenger of Peace centred in love, justice and grace is the foundation for the real Christmas. Do explore it, you may be delightfully surprised - even enlightened.
