Walking on my way to merry old compulsory school chapel, I was attempting to prove my eclectic capabilities and do the old ice-skate-on-the-icy-pavement move in some crazy moment of impulsive behaviour. I very nearly wiped out in front of half the school, but luckily regained balance at the last minute, and casually strolled off hoping that know one noticed. Eventually we all filed into the chapel, and were seated in the most random fashion in between parents,other houses, and just plain strangers. I have to say, when the chapel was plunged into darkness, I really did feel a sense of mystery and religious comfort what with the light coming up through the stained glass windows and the choir chanting from ambiguous places. But when the lights came glaring back on at "and God said let there be light", I couldn't help but think "well gee God I thought you could do better than tungsten from Ikea". Then of course candles were lit during the service (I swear I thought someone's hair was going to be set alight at any moment), and people gave addresses about the annunciation (I've always thought Mary was such a weirdo... I mean, if some random angel came along to tell me that I was to give birth to the son of God my first response would be to say "hahahahahha..... wait, you gotta be kiddin' me man!"), and then of course the entire congregation bellowed out the hymns at full volume. I think one of the lines about Christ in the last hymn was "deeply wailing", which is probably the most accurate description possible of what it was.
However sitting in the chapel listening to the choir sing beautiful hymns with the ethereal atmosphere of candles and flowers really made me think... what if there are more important things in life than universities and exams, applications and interviews? What if these things really don't matter at all. We should all just enjoy advent and the anticipation for christmas, playing about in the snow, singing songs and forgetting about the routine and toil of school. I suppose you could say I had an epiphany of sorts; I am going to forget about all the stress and expectations, the necessary assignments and revision. I'm going to be the ultimate rebel... screw physics prep and english essays. I am just going to sit back and relax, watch the sun shine through frost covered trees, walk through the powdered snow with friends, and admire the beauty and surreality of the winter aura. After all, it seems so foolish to waste its wonder and charm on trivial endeavours and exertions. One could do worse than be a wanderer of the snow.
Right, ehem, uh, I think I should go finish my homework now.
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