by Jože Biščak
The world seems to be turning upside down. That it no longer spins the way we are used to. That the guidelines of the new order are outlined and no one can derail them anymore. We are becoming an increasingly cowardly and frightened society of crouched and shrunken people who give up everything. A kind of softened civilisation, that lies back in an armchair and carelessly observes changes around itself, which is not inclined to them, but devoted to its destiny, silently observes them. What has been sacred to us for centuries is disappearing, because that is how political correctness dictates. Advent time, which reaches its peak with the commemoration of the birth of Christ, still somehow avoids the latest fashion trends, but our faith is softened. It is only a matter of time before it is completely banalised into the December fever and pushed aside (perhaps even unwanted or forbidden), as if it has never marked our history.
Christmas is without a doubt a holiday that best expresses the identity of our Western, especially European civilisation. We have the privilege of remembering the arrival of the Biggest Saint in the northern hemisphere at a time when the power of the Sun is gaining strength to ward off the cold. Although every year spiritual relativism increasingly begins the magical time of the winter solstice, the day of the year when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, and at the same time it awakens the feeling that light is coming again. It is no coincidence that many glorious songs are sung about the “light of the world that is coming”.
At Christmas time, we often stand in front of the nativity scenes, a strong symbol of connectedness. The irony is that because of the deadly Chinese virus, we will enjoy everything worthwhile to us even more this year. We will embrace what our enemies fear. They realised that the nativity scene is by no means our outward manifestation of benign and surviving superstition, but a symbol of family, religion, tradition, and a nation, a symbol of never really uprooted roots; that our umbilical cord with its ancestors and past, good or bad, never really broke. It is not that important whether we are fully aware that God’s grace exists, it is important that the Lord knows about us. And not only is He in our hearts, but we are all in His heart.
This “flaw” is essential. It means that we do not direct Life, but the Life directs us. Above all, that we humans are flawed, that we are not without faults, without sin. If we were, Christ would not have come into this world; it would not be necessary, if we were all perfect. This is the essence of Christmas, a holiday of joy and good will. And so far we have not let it be taken from us, even though they have been inventing new holidays literally from less than nothing. It is not only our right but our duty to our descendants to preserve the inherited. It is true that we are surviving unusual times, many people do not feel joyful or happy to announce the holidays. And it is not only about the disease that has hit the old continent the hardest, it is also an unimaginable arrogance and lowliness of the left-wing of politics, which in difficult moments cannot look beyond its (bloody) red fences, but is at key moments overthrowing the government (this is unique in the EU). Therefore, part of our requests and prayers should be dedicated to the Slovenian center-right government on the Holy Evening, so that it can endure no matter what.
On behalf of the editorial office, I would also like to say to You, dear readers, that we are grateful to You again and again every day. Not only at Christmas time, when we emphasise a little more that we can create the magazine Demokracija with your loyalty and kindness as well as gratitude to You. Tonight we think of you who support us and stand by our side even in the most difficult times.
To You who will sit at the table tonight and be humbly grateful for Christmas night; to You who will celebrate tonight with hymn and stand before the nativity scenes; to You who will call distant families and friends with best wishes; to You who may be alone; to You who will light a candle and pray; and to You who will put on coats, wrap yourself in scarves and put on warm hats and try to capture the charm of Christmas night – the editorial office wishes You all a blessed Christmas. Christmas Eve is always beautiful.
Joze Biščak, editor-in-chief of Democracija magazine and president of the Slovenian Association of Patriotic Journalists