For whatever reason, this song always ends up on my playlist at Christmastime:

It’s not a particularly religious song, the (arguable) veiled reference to Jesus’ birth in the second verse notwithstanding, but it does nicely encapsulate the Christmas ideal even so. (Let’s leave aside the discussion about highly successful rock stars singing about eschewing material trappings.) And I think the sentiments herein are broadly relatable, wherever along the religious spectrum each of you reading this happens to be situated.

The Ultima Codex won’t be inactive over the next few days; I actually have something special (and horribly corny, but nevermind that) planned for December 25th onward. Even so…I think by now you all know I’m Catholic and have a profound love of the paradoxical, so indulge me the following:

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel’s song, for infant’s cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance.

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wisemen. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.

And to all of you who pass by here, my wish for you is captured there in the penultimate statement: rise bigger than you are, in all things. Crack your world asunder (I love that phrase!) before you, whatever your world entails. May this season especially, and all the seasons of the year to come, see you bathed in the warm love of friends and family.

And play some Ultima. Because why are you here if you don’t?