‘Tis the Christmas season of Star Wars, so let the blue force be awakened

It has been a tough year.

Economically, it has gone downhill in this country, with the only small ray of hope the interest shown by China in investing in Africa.

We, of course, will only see in the long run the price we have to pay for China’s interest, but at least an investment of billions is comforting in a time of the declining Rand and the continuous increase in the cost of living.

Despite all the bleak news throughout the year (load shedding, water restrictions, drought, crime), fortunately, Christmas has this wonderful psychological impact on our psyche.

Just as the world of Isis and Malema threatens to cast us down a deep void of depressing blackness, we hear the familiar ringing of jingle bells, while Christmas trees light up (at least we hope so, depending on Eskom).

Ironically, Christmas only worsens the financial crisis of many (you know how it goes, you buy stuff you don’t need just because it’s on a special).

But let us ignore for now the fact that even though Christmas remains the biggest marketing and propaganda machine to get weary consumers to dig even deeper into their pockets, it still, after many centuries, retains its magic charm.

Come December, for some or other strange reason the blues of yesterday lifts and is replaced by a colourful rainbow of hope.

Yes, I am talking about the sparkling Christmas lights and the expensive decorations that adorn the little trees.

And how about the power that lies, dormant until now, in the expectation of receiving a wonderful gift?

Granted, many will receive gifts that have no real value, or have been bought with little thought, like a sweater that is out of fashion, but at least there is joy to be found in the gift trade.

Apart from time with family (again, for some this is more of a negative than a positive), and good food (even a hamburger tastes better on Christmas), there is also some great entertainment ready to overwhelm us.

Traditionally, December time is when the big movies hit the silver screen. In previous years the epic trilogy “Lord of the Rings” was reserved for this time of the year.

And now, it is time for one of the most anticipated movies in a long time – Star Wars (The Force Awakens).

Yes, across the world, Star Wars fanatics are already losing far too much sleep as they wait obsessively for December 18, for the seventh instalment of George Lucas’s empire invades our senses.

I will probably go and watch it, even though, sadly, the true villain of the peace, Darth Vader, will no longer be with us.

And, speaking of villains and Christmas, here in South Africa we also, sadly with with plenty culprits of the peace, and many of them do not come bearing crowbars but are rather fitted out in smart suits, or is that a red overall?

Christmas is, after all, also shopping season for those harbouring a more sinister entrepreneurial spirit.

So while Star Wars is about to land, light sabre and spacecrafts blazing, I am hoping that, at the same time, our own Force (that is the SAPS) will also awaken and be alert to keep SA’s citizens – blinded by festive cheer – safe.

This has indeed been a tough year. But throughout 2015, as the Advertiser, we have tried our utmost to keep our readers informed, educated and enthralled.

News will be always be with us, just like Christmas, but while the other man in a red suit sporting a white beard is preparing to slide down the chimney, here in Sydney Road (way south from the North Pole) we will be taking a break from the circus of life for a couple of weeks.

Until we meet again in the New Year, may the force of Christmas and the SAPS be with you, may you receive the gifts you were sort of hoping for, and may we remember it is really all about family and friends.

On that note, Merry Christmas and keep safe.