We have been all Christmasy and Jesusy in our household the past couple of days, despite the societal realities of the Virus-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Jesus was born a Jew, of course, and this is the Jewish sabbath, as you will know. The beginning of the lock-down has reminded me of the importance of sabbath time for rest, reflection, communion with God and Creation.
In any other year of the past 50 years or more today, Boxing Day, would be a frenzy of buying activity, with throngs of people descending on shopping malls and big-box stores to purchase stuff and stuff and more stuff. As a 70's teen I would head to Toronto and Yonge St, with my best friend so we could stand in the ridiculous scrums at Sam the Record Man and A &A's to buy sale records -- actual LP's -- of our favourite rock bands. It was some sort of retail pilgrimage which we solemnly undertook.
We all feel for those who are trying to make a living in retail these days, especially small business owners who are hanging on my their fingernails. And sure, online shopping for bargains will be insane today. The word is that working conditions for Amazon employees are miserable.I can hear the "ahem, we don't get a sabbath" from a farmer or two out there, but I hope you'll understand!
This could be a worthwhile and even holy pause for a lot of us who might be tempted to brave the crowds. I hope lives will be saved today and in the days ahead
I figure that somewhere I still have some of the material from a program years ago called Whose Birthday Is It Anyway? It encouraged simplicity and resistance, a sort of sabbath of heart, mind, and wallet. It seems next to impossible now, but couldn't we at least give it a try?
If you can, enjoy the quiet, maybe go for a walk, remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Jesus the Jew will be impressed.
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