What does that mean, actually?

I’m afraid they don’t know the right symbols for Christmas anymore. Here in France, the cities have installed their lamppost decorations and I compare displays as we pass from place to place. They’re all white or silver (color is so tacky these days) and they all have the same problem; they don’t mean anything. It’s not even clear what they are.

It used to be that these decorations were candles, a star, maybe a santa or a christmas tree. I remember the word NOEL spelled out in our town. Thats’ all gone. The new symbols are actually hard to make out. They seem to be unfurled ribbons. They unfurl from a circle and sometimes a star but usually they’re just unfurling from themselves in a tangly unfurl. They are meaningless. There is no hint of religion, a reindeer, holly, or even a good wish. How does this symbolize Christmas?

The city fathers must’ve struggled with this one. They had to put up christmas decorations. They’ve always done so and the people expect it. Annoyingly, the problem with christmas is that it’s so darn Christian. Towns theseadays are made up many faiths and cultures. How do you pick a symbol to please everyone?

So they came up with these unfurlings. They have no specific meaning but ribbons are vaguely festive. It’s cynical of me to say, but they seem to represent unwrapping gifts – purchases. I suppose this is the safest symbol of all in a multicultural world. Nobody can be offended by shopping, I guess.

In romanesque churches they had a symbol for just about anything. They were used all over the place and people actually understood what they meant. At Conques, the tympanum was crammed with them. As an ignorant person in the 21st century, I had no idea what they meant but a handy guide was provided. They are delightful and here are a few.

St. Foy is kneeling before the hand of God which extends from the cloud of unknowing and inexpressible mystery

We know this is St. Peter because he holds keys. These are the keys of the celestial kingdom

This is Dadon, the founder of the first oratory at Conques. He was a hermit and this is shown by his T-shaped stick

Gluttony
These two devils are making a glutton vomit out the excesses of his eating

Acedia, Spiritual laxness
This man is stretched out on a brazier but shows no feeling which is the trait of spiritual laziness. A toad, associated with magic spells, is at his feet

Something like Christmas has been celebrated before the Christians came on the scene. The Romans had Saturnalia and pagans celebrated the winter solstice. Most religions have a celebration around this time. It’s a time of renewal and appreciation of life on earth. It certainly means more than shopping. We need some new symbols.Santa and baby Jesus may not be appropriate city decorations anymore but there must be good symbols for hope, love and peace on earth. Can’t we use those? They couldn’t offend even the most politically correct person in the room. Next time the city fathers look for a symbol, I hope they try to find something meaningful. If they get really stuck, a look back at the 12th century might give some inspiration.

Acedia