Inspired by Bush, K. (1980). December Will Be Magic Again. EMI Records.
Photo by Pranav Prashar on Unsplash
This week’s song choice reflects the magical voice and thoughts of Kate Bush and her 1980 Christmas song December will be magic again.
When we listen to Christmas music there is often a familiar and magical picture painted; joy, love, familiar songs and the beauty of snow-covered vistas. This song playfully highlights all these usual features, but with the imagination of its writer: Husky’s, the warmth of Bing Crosby, romance, Saint Nicholas in a chimney, candles, carols and snow to name just a few.
I think it is this word imagination which intrigues me about this song. Kate Bush sings of Oscar Wilde and then puts him in the context of carols, kissing and laughter. It goes beyond the usual expected pictures of Christmas. As she sings there is a playfulness which somehow just seems to suit the spirit of an imagined snowy Christmas scene. A recognition that Christmas is a season of mystery and that this is something which we need to hold on to.
It’s so easy during the Christmas season to become distracted by all the preparations and tasks that we forget to enjoy the playfulness and mystery of the season. Yet, when we refocus on the playful and mysterious, this often brings us closer to a sense of awe, wonder and, in turn, improved wellbeing.
One of the things which often limits our wellbeing is the more mundane nature of process and the thought of trudging through life. Re-engaging our playful mysterious nature helps us to become more fully human rather than just a functionary meeting all our targets and goals.
I don’t know whether we’ll have the chance to experience the joy and fun of snow this Christmas. However, there is no reason why we can’t make the choice to re-establish mystery and playfulness as personal priorities to once again illuminate life. Let’s not let the mystery go.
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