Christmas

Here is a sneak peek of our most recent Spirituality & the City series, where six people talk about the things that make them grateful. You can read the other four stories in the series by picking up a free copy of our Winter 2017 issue from one of our wonderful stockists across Ireland. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the magazine and have the Winter issue – as well as the next three magazines for the year ahead – delivered right to your door!

Josh Scannell

Last year, I had just returned from the States where I’d spent time in huge cities like LA and Detroit. I remember walking the streets here and feeling this overwhelming sense of home, like I was being hugged by the city. When you can call Dublin home, it’s like being a member of the royal family. Anyone can wear a crown here. I was mistaken for Hozier on a famed 12 pubs night out with the lads. I was King for a moment, before remembering we’re all Kings and fame is a drag anyway. I guess it’s different if you’re actually Hozier and not a cheap stunt double, fooling drunks into taking bad photos and giving you free Guinness! I’ve left it all behind now. There’s no more free Guinness and nobody asks for my photo. People in Dublin get it like nowhere else on Earth and we should never forget that.

Kamilla Harra

When I think of Christmas, I remember the warmth and unity that permeate the streets around this time of year: the
twinkling lights reflected in people’s eyes, the smiles and laughter, the ‘Merry Christmases’ and ‘Happy New Years’ from complete strangers – said with genuine warmth and almost familial care – the local choir carolling on a crisp Saturday morning with such enthusiasm and cheer. The curious thing is that I grew up in a country where Christmas was replaced by celebrating New Year’s Eve. What amazes me as I ponder this is that my memories from two different countries, although somewhat different, capture the same Spirit: the Joy of being Alive, of being Together, of Loving and Celebrating one another – beyond any other reason or religious purpose. To me, it is a beautiful time to focus on expressing our generosity, connectedness, and the magic of being alive!
soulradiance.org

Here is a sneak peek of our most recent Spirituality & the City series, where six people talk about the things that make them grateful. You can read the other four stories in the series by picking up a free copy of our Winter 2017 issue from one of our wonderful stockists across Ireland. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the magazine and have the Winter issue – as well as the next three magazines for the year ahead – delivered right to your door!