Here we are once again, THAT time of year! The decorations are going up, the sales signs are out, and the maniacal rush to stuff ourselves physically, drain ourselves fiscally while trying to develop a touch of humanity, are all under way. So cynicism aside, just for a moment, let’s reflects on what the season means. As the winter solstice nears, the world prepares for the change, rebirth and renewal. What is it exactly we want to change?

Over the course of the year, we have all faced the challenges of life.  Some we conquer, some conquer us, and by the time we get to this point in the calendar, we all somehow want to take an accounting and sum up the total. To borrow from the great Charles Dickens, Scrooge says, “… What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer …”. Yet this is just the set up for the metamorphosis. Humanity collectively sees the sum of the year, relates the experience to the season, and hopes that despite the cold we have yet to endure, there is belief that we will prosper again.

In times gone by, the seasonal changes impacted everyone equally. Yet, even when everyone knew that spring would follow winter, those that governed saw the need to institutionalize the event, and winter solstice holidays were born. The Romans were so sure that this was an important time to note, they adopted virtually every myth surrounding the event from every culture they encountered. By the time Christianity took hold, all those disparate legends were collected and reframed to mark the birth of their savior.

Today, life is not quite as simple. We see the cyclical nature of life, we see that change is ever present and inevitable.  But in relating it to our own lives it’s not as easy to see how spring is just around the corner. The leap of faith for many is less attainable, and more intimate and personnel reminders are needed to prepare us for hope.

To help fill the void we have theatre, one of the most astute mechanisms to remind us of change and hope. While theatre and religious ritual are forever locked together in antiquity, modern theatre takes over where modern religion leaves off. The allegories of gods, and then the passions of saints are now tales of everyday man confronting everyday problems. Theatre provides intimate practical lessons: tales of redemption, of change, of hope.

Theatre is an event, an opportunity that removes us from the problems of daily life by illuminating circumstance and then suggesting paths we might follow to find our own reshaped destiny. When we feel the tug of heartstrings, or tears welling within, we are living the beautiful change that theatre affords one and all.

Looking out over the landscape of productions at this time of year, every year, nearly every show presented has some connection to the season. There are musicals, dramas, comedies, all imaginable efforts to touch the core of life’s cycle. The yearning that was crucial to our ancient ancestors still resides within us and each holiday offering is another path to answer the questions.

In the grand landscape of theatre, there is probably no story more often told, retooled and represented than Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. When first introduced to the public in 1843, it literally changed the way Christmas was celebrated. Though not conceived as a play, the story is so infused with dialogue, that a leap to the stage is almost demanded.

Dickens and the countless adapters of his story since, reach out to touch us, to remind us that no matter our trials, there is a greater experience in the world more than just our own. We’re drawn to take stock, exam how our lives not only impact others, but how the actions of others affect us. The cycle of life is laid out before us and we find redemption is available to all that seek it.

So seek, go find a show that helps find your inner Scrooge, not the Bah! Humbug! Scrooge, but the, “God Bless Us, Every One!” Scrooge. When you do, remember that theatre is part of your family, it is a member of the family of man and deserves your support not just at this time of year, but all year long.