The Darkness and The Light
As Storm Darragh batters Britain, I sit by candle and firelight during a power cut. The absence of phones, TV, and internet brings a rare stillness. I feel fortunate—but my thoughts turn to those less lucky.
Wars rage across the world, and in the firelight, I find myself reflecting this Advent upon the darkness this December. It’s cold here and dark, on the edge of Bodmin Moor. It’s been gusting 80 mph outside, maybe 20 in the house on occasion when the wrong doors are open, but I’m fine, in two thick wool jumpers and a wool beanie, stirring the risotto on our gas hob, we are draughty but cosy…
Many are not. Disenfranchised, displaced, homeless, out in the wet, in freezing tented cities, in a world on fire. Cold wars, hot wars, other wars looming.
Man against man, or woman—othering is endless. Hindus v. Muslims, Christians v. Jews, Jews v. Muslims, Christians v. women, Infidels v. everyone else. The horror feels godless, and hope seems elusive. Where does it lie?
I’m not one to preach — the only thing I know is that I know nothing but I would like to share a couple of lines of hope.
I’m reflecting not through the lens of any particular creed but through the rainbow of religions and belief systems that colour our world. Strip away the fact that man uses religion to control man, and something else appears. Strip away more and each religion comes to reflect the qualities of the other. Each is so much more alike than the media, and our so-called leaders would have us believe. Though religions and faiths so often seem to divide us, at their heart, these traditions share a strong, simple message: to love one another, protect the weak, nurture the light of hope, and conquer fear.
Festivals and teachings from across many faiths remind us of enduring truths that transcend Religion. They invite us to look beyond divisions and embrace what unites us. If we set aside the dogma and power structures built on belief systems and what do we have?
Transformative Love
Christmas speaks to the arrival of love in its purest form — the symbol of a child born in a manger, embodying hope, and calling us to embrace the vulnerable with kindness. It’s a season of giving, not for glory but for the joy of connection.
The Fragility of Innocence
Holy Innocents’ Day (remembering when King Herod had all the babies around Bethlehem killed), reminds us of the cost of violence and the sacred duty to protect life, calling us to honour the innocent and champion peace.
Conquer with Love
On Bodhi Day (7th December), Buddhists celebrate the Buddha’s enlightenment—a journey toward understanding and compassion, a lesson in seeking peace within so it may radiate outward, touching all around us. Buddha said, “Conquer anger by love, evil by good; conquer the miser with generosity, and the liar with truth.”
Chesed: Love in Action
In Judaism, chesed—selfless kindness—is love expressed through action. The Talmud (Sotah 14a) teaches to "walk in God’s ways" by embodying divine traits like compassion, generosity, and selfless care for others, turning love into an active force for good.
Reflect and Renew
In the Islamic tradition, observance of Ayyamul Bidh, or the White Days, is a time for fasting, self-discipline and spiritual renewal. Separately, the Prophet Muhammad said, "None of you will truly believe until you love for your brother [human] what you love for yourself." A simple a call to live in harmony with those around us.
Wu Wei: Harmony in Simplicity
From Taoism, we learn the wisdom of simplicity and the abundance that flows from humility and harmony. Wu Wei restores balance in a world overwhelmed by striving, teaching us to achieve effectiveness not through force but by aligning with life’s natural flow. As the Tao Te Ching says, ‘The sage does not act, yet nothing is left undone.’ Through spontaneity and restraint, we find true harmony and fulfillment.
Weave the Threads
As the days shorten, and the power and lights flick on, I reflect on the shared wisdom of these traditions: love one another, care for the vulnerable, and light the way for others. In a world fractured by fear and division, these teachings offer a guide—for the good of all, and for the fragile spinning rock we all share.
Being Present
Because 'I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother me', my challenge to myself this season is simply to be more present. As A.A. Milne put it in The House at Pooh Corner:
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you."
A Wool Company Wish
At The Wool Company, we believe in creating good things with great care. This season, we hope our creations bring warmth, comfort, and light to those you love.
Pooh began to feel a little more comfortable, because when you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.