Since retiring from politics this past March, I have filled some of my free time studying symbology. To some this might seem like an unusual and pointless exercise. However, the interrelationship with politics is quite stark.
Much political work involves the intelligent use of symbology to communicate a message or signal a course of action.
Take for instance the current political debacle playing out in Northern Ireland. Journalists have speculated whether we would see ‘a Christmas miracle’ this week as the DUP entered the final stages of negotiations with the UK Government.
This phraseology carries an element of humour, yet it also communicates the impossibility of the situation. Whilst no-one is expecting Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to deliver the virgin birth of Jesus, it would seem like the political deadlock requires divine intervention (a miracle) to secure a resolution.
I often wonder what would have happened had Mary disagreed with the task thrust upon her by the Holy Spirit and instead entered negotiations with God about what she and Joseph might get out of this raw deal. Or, indeed, how the three wise men may have reacted had they simply been told to bring more gold. Perhaps they may have uttered ‘would 3 billion be enough?’
Should the DUP continue its boycott past January 18, it runs the risk of facing another Assembly election where, put simply, the electorate my choose someone else
Dr John B MacDonald, a Canadian pastor and theologian, speculates that had Mary said no, God’s purposes ‘would not and could not be frustrated’, meaning that Jesus would have been born of a woman but not Mary. In short God would have chosen someone else.
How apt an interpretation of and how fitting to the DUP’s position today. Should the DUP continue its boycott past January 18, it runs the risk of facing another Assembly election where, put simply, the electorate my choose someone else. Stranger things have happened.
In the nativity story, the star of Bethlehem symbolises a sign from God that the new king has been born. In Catholicism the star is not only associated with Jesus’ birth, it is also viewed as a symbol embodying the light of hope of salvation in the midst of darkness. It acts as the guiding light for the three wise men who journeyed to meet the newborn.
Again, this storyline has resonance with the ongoing boycott. If we view democracy and its underlying principles as our star of Bethlehem, then the question begs, who exactly is following it and where do they hope to end up?
According to the Good Friday Agreement, the three guarantors of peace in Northern Ireland are the UK Government, the Irish Government and the US Government. If these are our three wise men, where have they gone? How often have Leo Varadkar, Chris Heaton-Harris and President Biden travelled towards one another in pursuit of a resolution? And if these are our three wise men, does that make Sir Jeffrey the baby?
Many do not realise the extent of symbology prevalent in the nativity story nor the significance of the three wise men. Their presence at the nativity symbolises the recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah and the acknowledgement of his divine nature. In essence they helped to legitimise the new king.
The gifts they presented told a different story. They act as symbols of his purpose on earth – gold to symbolise Jesus’ kingship, frankincense to signal deity and myrrh to remind him of his eventual sacrifice.
Once more, we can draw parallels between this storyline and the present day. Perhaps the time has come to cease legitimising the infant cries of the DUP. There is already speculation that the UK Government will opt to implement direct rule with increased input from the Irish Government should the status quo be maintained. A gentle reminder that there are no Messiahs when it comes to this negotiation might be helpful. At the very least, someone should consider gifting a healthy dose of myrrh, skipping out on the frankincense and possibly cutting down on the gold.
Thus, while the opportunity to deliver miracle may have passed, perhaps the best we can hope for this Christmas is to avoid a nasty hangover.