Merry ‘Pantheistmas’

It’s clear from knowing Roger that he ascribed meaning to Christmas. Meaning beyond enjoying festive drinks and indulging in mince pies and other seasonal treats. Superficially, it seems odd that a Pantheist would celebrate, or even write poems about a Christian festival (albeit with pagan roots). And yet his poetry collections reveal an array of festive delights such as Messaging Christmas Day, Home For Christmas, Once Upon A Wiccan Yule…

Certainly Roger’s opinion on Christianity, and indeed on other monotheist religions, was more ‘charitable’ than my own. He recognised wisdom in some of the core teachings while rejecting those doctrinal absurdities. However, for both of us Christianity always seemed merely a comfort blanket for existential angst - whilst failing to explain or probe the universe’s deeper mysteries. From a historical perspective it too frequently inspired persecution over piety. From a scientific perspective it places fable over fact. And from a philosophical perspective it stifles ontological enquiry with dogma…

So why the Christmas poems…?!

I believe Roger drew inspiration from a universal symbolism echoed in the Christmas message. Particularly, the theme of hope-born-anew in the Nativity story. And that disparate collective brought together to celebrate the sacred nature of birth. Other Christmas tropes would have also touched him - such as people coming together in fellowship and song, and the joy of exchanging gifts with family and friends. Roger’s poetry explores an underlying sentiment abounding, like the joyous peel of church bells, in the collective consciousness. Although often juxtaposed against feelings of loneliness, even alienation.

Roger recognised an overarching Christmas message to explore transcendent qualities within; beneficence, goodwill, forgiveness, and reconciliation. To reconnect over our shared humanity, rather than obsess over tribal differences. More than anything he savoured that brief collective commitment to a spirit of agape - if tempered by a healthy dose of skepticism.

Season’s greetings to all and my best wishes for 2026.

Graham

P.S. My apologies to regular readers for the long absence. It’s neglectful of me although health issues and work pressures too often take precedence.

 

*  *  *  *

 

ANOTHER COUNTRY

 

You’ll come naked to my dreams

and breathe life into me,

repair my body at its fraying seams,

fill me with ecstasy

 

You’ll croon a love song in my ear,

play on the same guitar

I bought you for Christmas the year

we first kissed each other

 

You’ll make love to me, our passion

a bitter-sweet hymn to Creation,

though I must wake too soon, too soon,

at time’s cruel persuasion

 

Parted by forces fired by human bigotry,

reunited forever in love's 'other' country

 

R.N. Taber, 2020. From the collection Addressing the Art of Being Human
(To be published in eBook format, 2026)