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Good morning.

Advent and Christmas are meant to be seasons of peace, with goodwill towards all. Sadly, amidst the tinsel and lights, the tradition of the Christmas argument is alive and well in our public life.

We’ve seen more than one in the news this week. And not just squabbles, but hot and calculated manoeuvring – whether inside our Parliamentary parties, or between nations at COP 28. Though happily less newsworthy, my own household has for years kept alive the tradition of the ‘Christmas shout,’ usually over important things like how to load the dishwasher.

Here’s the thing: not all conflict is equal. And not all conflict is bad. There are things worth arguing for, like safe working conditions and fair pay. And a difference of opinion might even lead to that rare thing, a change of mind.

Surely this is what mature and competent public discourse in a democracy is meant to be about, peace and justice both. And I include our churches and other faith groups in that democratic equation, lest there be any doubt.

What would it be, in our public life, to argue about better things? To be driven by compassion, not for calculation just to get power or to stoke grievance, or protect my position?

I am always reassured (and not just at Christmas) to see that the disciples who followed Jesus had their political struggles too. In Mark 9, Jesus asked his disciples what they’d been arguing about. It had been a particularly long day, and they were silent, the text says, because they had been arguing ‘…with one another over who was the greatest.’ At least they had the sense to be embarrassed!

Jesus rebuked them pointedly:‘…to be first you must be last, and the servant of all.’ He got more specific in case they didn’t get the point, and pulled a small child into the middle of the group so they couldn’t be ignored. He said: ‘…whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’

Children have also been in our news alongside the arguments this week, every day. Not least in the desperate stories we have heard coming out of Gaza and Israel, and from other warzones. Perhaps we might again put these children in the middle of our arguments, and use their lives as a measure for our passion.

My Advent wish this year is that I would have the wit to be silent when I realise I’ve been having the wrong kind of argument. And also that I would have the wit to speak up when I should, to argue with compassion, maturity and nuance. If I hope it for myself, I hope it for those in our public life as well. And I have great respect for it, when I see it.

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