#SeasonalSonnets: 25th Dec.

Hello my lovely readers!

Today's #SeasonalSonnets entry came about as a result of a thought that struck me last night - the celebration of Christmas essentially revolves around a Middle Eastern family who, as a result of an arbitrary govermental registration process, were forced to travel a great distance. When they arrived at the destination, none of the townspeople were prepared to offer them shelter, and they were left with no option but a stable. This rendered them displaced persons, if not quite refugees - but I would then argue that their refugee status was cemented by the events which followed, since Herod wanted to kill their son.

These elements of the Nativity story seem to me to be particularly pertinent to the current state of global politics, so I wanted to write something to reflect that.

Wherever you are, whoever you're with and whatever you're doing, I hope you're having a happy and safe day. I'd just ask, in the midst of the present opening, the jokes and the feasting (whether meat, vegetarian or vegan!), you take a moment to think on the reason for today's festival and to consider those who are having a more difficult day - both around the world and closer to home. Christmas is lovely, but it's also hard - and I think that its origin story is a reminder of that bittersweetness.

UK-based friends, if you, too, are struck by the aspects of today that inspired my sonnet, you may be interested to watch Brendan Cox's Alternative Message at 2pm on Channel Four.

Love

Jx

25^th December

All those for whom today is known as ‘Christmas’

as you sit with friends and family ‘round the tree,

take some time in your nostalgic reminiscence –

spare a thought for Middle Eastern refugees.

For that’s really what this day is all about –

two parents’ treacherous trip to Bethlehem

and the townspeople who left them standing out

because there was ‘no room’ to let them in.

Yet just one kindly couple lent a stable,

where soon their son was born upon a manger,

and there the two new parents were then able

to keep their precious boy well-hid from danger.

And so, whilst you enjoy your celebrations,

remember it’s the result of a migration. 

Copyright Jessi Parrott December 2016