Today, tomorrow and for eternity

CAN someone tell me; is there a day in the year that isn’t marked as ‘World ______ Day’ or ‘National ______ Day’ etc? The marking – or should that be ‘marketing’ – of such days has mushroomed in recent years and if you were to launch one now you’d almost certainly find yourself vying for attention with various other organisations, causes and interest groups on your particular ‘day’. 

Now of course some of these ‘days’ are significant and I for one am happy to support them. In the weeks before penning this column we’ve had World Suicide Awareness Day and World Homeless Day – each drawing attention to a subject of genuine concern.

There are other set-aside days which one would want to support but for somewhat selfish reasons, such as Buy a Priest a Beer Day! Two things to say here. Firstly, I’m sure it extends to ministers and, secondly, I’m open to offers should you be looking for a candidate to buy for!

Other days are frivolous in the extreme. I’m reluctant to single any out for fear of angry letters to the editor but how about World Bow Tie Day (August 28) or World Beard Day (September 4.) And for the number crunchers among you, yes, there’s a World Statistics Day.

Oooops, I’ve done it now!!! Trouble is coming my way!

And then there are long standing days, many within the Christian calendar and of historical, cultural and theological significance. At this time of year we have, in order, the first Day of Advent, Christmas Day and then the Day of Epiphany. Our forebears have celebrated these days and we continue to do so – and I’d suggest that it’s more important than ever that we do so given the rush from some quarters to strip the season of ‘religious meaning.’

But here’s the thing; none of these ‘days’ count for anything if it’s just a day on its own. What’s the point of marking World Suicide Awareness Day if we aren’t committed to tackling the causes and supporting the vulnerable through the other 364 days of the year?

Personally, I’d love to see a scheme whereby congregations could work towards some kind of accreditation, similar to ‘eco-congregations’ and ‘fair-trade congregations.’ Within such a scheme there would be a number of commitments – tangible steps to ensure as much as possible that the congregation was a safe and supportive community for those who struggle with mental health.

And what’s the point of big sleep-outs unless we’re going to support organisations which spend the whole year supporting homeless people and campaigning for structural and legislative change? The worst case scenario is that we become nothing more than virtue signallers, nodding in all the right directions on all the right days while doing absolutely nothing.

If there’s a day that suffers more than most in terms of being forgotten about the day after then it’s Christmas Day. The sweetness and light, peace and goodwill disappear along with the last turkey sandwich.

I guess if we reduce it to glitz and glitter (which is all great fun and not to be jettisoned) and relegate the coming of Christ to a couple of carols then we should hardly be surprised that ‘nothing happens.’

And yet the gift of the Christ Child offers so much more – nothing less than life-changing, world-turning, soul-satisfying reality. 

And not just for the day. 

Today, tomorrow and for eternity. ¤

The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair is Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2020/21 and is minister at Arbroath: St Andrew’s.