Lev Lafayette's journal

It has been joked that Christmas is that time of year when the various Christian denominations (even "Christian atheists" and "atheist Christians") put aside their differences to celebrate paganism. In any case, most people get together with friends and family for the public holiday, a ritual exchange of gifts, and feasting. My own day was not dissimilar; for lunch I played host and had Brendan E, Kerrie H, Mel S, visiting and, because she was working that day, I delivered a dessert to the building's concierge, Sandrine. The company and conversation was wonderful and varied, of course. I enjoyed making French martini cocktails, "bread and roses" focaccia, inadvertently produced a Canadian main (grilled salmon with roast root vegetables in a maple syrup marinade), and a "Mess Australis" (pavlova, buttermilk ice cream, mixed berries) for dessert. Later that evening I joined Anthony L, and Robin M, for a grazing dinner where discussion of various Pacific shenanigans was a matter of some concern. The day previous, I enjoyed a marvellous Xmas Eve party with Liza D and the Northcote crowd.

As always, I am ever sensitive to those who do not have a joyful Christmas; those who lack friends and family, those who are in financial distress, those who are struggling with physical or mental health, and those who are in environments that are not supportive. These stand in contrast to the other-indifferent and commercialised version of the holiday. Whilst some world leaders call upon us to recall those in poverty or harmed by war (e.g., Pope Francis) so often these problems are systemic. Whilst charity can provide the utterly essential relief of symptoms, it will not remove the causes which are politically and economically ingrained. This being what it may, I still advocate and appeal for the generosity of those who are able to give; Effective Altruism Australia, for example, takes rankings of the greatest quality of life improvement per dollar spent. It certainly seems to be a much more appropriate version of gift-giving and more fitting to what the holiday is meant to represent.