Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Oh yeah its that time of the year once again, Where everyone no matter where they are from, no matter what they're religious backgrounds or beliefs, seem to succumb into the allure of Christmas. What is there not to love about commercialisms brand of Christmas in your typical shopping mall? The frosty coated windows, The mannequins all dressed up in the seasons best get up, The ever so green yet ever so artificial Christmas tree's laden with decorations, The department store Santa's that masquerade around the complex handing out free trinkets and goodies. The seasonal delights such as the infamous roasted turkey , roasted chestnuts with a generous mug of homemade eggnog and an apple cider.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. The seduction to just curl up in an armchair sipping on a mug of steaming hot chocolate and enjoying the ambiance. Or talking in a stroll while listening to Christmas carols played over the loudspeakers lull people into the celebratory mood. Yet aside from that view of the traditional Christmas that nearly everyone knows and and celebrates, There is a deeper meaning and purpose which is the reason Christmas is celebrated in the first place, Yet sadly it is nearly always conveniently forgotten in the build up an hype of the holiday. Its actually pretty sad. That in the anticipation and build up of a magnificent holiday the true meaning is forgotten in the process and in turn becomes as tool of consumerism. Dont get me wrong. I do love Christmas, Just maybe not for the same reasons as some. And thats to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Behold a silly tender Babe, in freezing winter night;
In homely manger trembling lies, alas a piteous sight:
The inns are full, no man will yield this little Pilgrim bed,
But forced He is with silly beasts, in crib to shroud His head.
Despise Him not for lying there, first what He is enquire:
An orient pearl is often found, in depth of dirty mire;
Weigh not His crib, His wooden dish, nor beasts that by Him feed:
Weigh not His mother's poor attire, nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a Prince's court, the crib His chair of state:
The beasts are parcel of His pomp, the wooden dish His plate.
The persons in that poor attire, His royal liveries wear,
The Prince Himself is come from heaven, this pomp is prized there.
With joy approach, O Christian wight, do homage to thy King,
And highly prize this humble pomp, which He from heaven doth bring
-Robert Southwell
Below are photos I snapped during my last visit to Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. I do hope you enjoy them
Adobe Photoshop Elements for supernatural abilities
