The Star

The birth of the new King (regardless of when you choose to celebrate) in the stable, was a symbol of the equality of mankind – shepherds and kings all bowing down – the lowly and the people of wealth, might and power, all on the same level.

Here in his own words, James May (Man Lab, S2 E5, 2011)

“….. Christmas though is not just about trivial things like snow. Let us think what it’s actually about.

It is, we’re told, a time of goodwill to all men and that’s a wonderful thing. All animosities are cast aside as we join in communal reverie. Wars stop for a game of football, all that kind of stuff.

But hang on a minute. Why is Christmas the time of good will? Why do we imagine that we can discharge our duty of decency to our fellow human beings for a week or two in December and then forget about it?

Surely the message coming out of that rude scene in the manger with the witless ass in attendance and the poor shepherds and the gold-laden magi looking on together as equals, is that goodwill is a 24-7 requirement, and it doesn’t matter if you’re not actually a christian.

The nativity has given us a simple pungent symbol that all people can embrace as their own. A star. A permanent light in the deathly darkness of the night sky, leading all of humankind out of its mortal dread towards peace, harmony and salvation.”