Just for something a bit different - I thought I'd have a thread dedicated to the upcoming Festive Season and what (if anything) it means to you? No poem better expresses the magic and excitement of
Christmas Eve than Clement C. Moore's, "The Night Before Christmas, written in 1822, this timeless story of a visit from St Nicholas has touched the hearts of children for generations. Much as I love the poem, there's another that I also love. It's called, "Bush Nativity..." I'd like to share it here with you:

"The outback was buzzing with wonderful news a wallaby passed it to two kangaroos. Spiny echidnas emerged from the ground, busy young bandicoots bounded around, a web-footed platypus gazed at the view, some fluffy-tailed gliders looked longingly too. Carolling kookaburras
laughed with delight, crimson rosellas sang right through the night.
Along loped an emu as though in a dream, koalas stopped munching to show their esteem. Dancing grey brolgas stepped forward and bowed, bright-crested cockatoos chattered aloud. A possum quite joyfully pricked up one ear and wide-eyed with wonder a wombat crept near. The stars of the Southern Cross pointed the way to the Babe who was born on that first Christmas Day."

What does Christmas mean to you?

For my family it is about family not Christ.
We grew up with the standard British roast hot lunch and tea the hot puddings, males made that by tradition.
I made the last ten years ones but gave it up about that long ago.
My tree is Australian gum, extra leaves on the ground for the smell.
Last year was my last ever traditional hot one, a Christian, intent on pushing his own wants and needs ruined that one.
So Aussie all the way fish fruit plates hams and cold meat, prawn and shell fish.
Washed down with beer and wines and joyful because we are together.I like the joy in kids faces but think it is an excuse to be together nothing else.

Belly:

It sounds simply lovely! I love the smell of gum leaves (and eucalyptus oil). And ham, sea-food, decorating a tree, spending time with family - couldn't be better. It's about family in our house as well. I usually do a sea-food feast on Christmas Eve, with a traditional hot Christmas Lunch. Don't laugh, but I've kept Margaret
Fulton's, "Complete Guide to a Tasty Christmas," and have faithfully used it for years, beginning with a glazed ham, Christmas vegies (baby beans with almonds, brussel sprouts with chestnuts, yummy yams, roast potatoes),We have a fruit bombe for dessert, and of course, beer, wine, fruit-punch, and the traditional hazelnut and chocolate yule log. This year however, my daughter-in-law has volunteered to do Christmas-Lunch - so I'm really looking forward to it. Christmas Eve as usual will be at our place.

We don't do Christmas at Chez Talisman,
but we do an indulgent Saturnalia.
Unless the grandkids are here on the day,
but they live hundreds of klicks away.
Forget the hot roast, but mucho seafood,
salad, vino and fruit. Also talisman's
world famous Saturnalia fruitcake and
pudding with brandy sauce later.

We do the family thing in the New Year,
once the stupid season's settled down a bit.

Talisman:

An indulgent Saturnalia with mucho seafood, vino, and fruit sounds very decadent. And my taste buds are on high alert at the mere mention of your world famous fruitcake and pudding with brandy sauce.(I love fruit-cake). I can imagine also, that your family celebrations during the New Year are equally joyous. Thanks for sharing - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ;-)

bah humbug...christ-mass joy...oh boy

the saviour is born...why does it sound..like so much spin
just like work/choices...wasnt about choice

or how qld-labour...debates..*if xmass..is a public/holiday
actually debates..if workers*..should get..the HOLY-day/rate

bah hungbug

so whats CHRIST/..mass-day...not the day the saviour was born
thats some time in september..[we narrowed it down to..last year]

its about gluttony...and about consuming...and spending..[on credit]

its about the murder of a tree..then watching it die..[and saying gee dont it smell GREAT..lets EAT]..lots of old..salted-meat

bah hunbug

here is a day..when the satan-clause..is clearly revealed
with the old..bearded child perveyer..watching your child

the all knowing god_replacement..for athiests..
that even missconcieves..god being good..

using material gifts..to hide gods..*free gifts
he gives us all...oh-so naturally..

lets get drunk
ode to the xmass party..for the fat..to chat-up..the perky

can govt claim..a risen death-toll..[on the holiday/period]..if it fails to recognise..it even beind..*a holiday..for the base-pay working slob...

[yet govt-members..take a three month sabatical..
[yeah this xmass scam..its really radical]

baa-baa ha-nn bug

lets sing of the holy night..the silent night..unless your one of the servants..doing your job..[to wit..the halfwit..the working class..blue colour slob]

lets recall..this as a day..*purified by yellow snow
not the stuff that you suck up ya nose..the taliban helps grow

dont don ya scates if someone offers you ice
it will be packed into a pipe...[aint that..old sain nik nice]

sorry about bringing..the rest of you down
just recall there is nothing as funny...as a cia clown
flying rendition flights of fancey..and media silence..getting drunk on free booze...we all win by their spin...we got nought else to loose

dont let me bring ya down
if its not about jesus..then whats it all about..is simply what it is

an excuse..for further excuse and abuse
its funny..im sweating...yet im frozen within

the day shall be..as you make it
and if you dont..the media will not fail to report it

ok the wierd guy..[freak]..
has left the room

leans back..in his chair
and the chair slowly tipssssssssssss

party on..

show us..ya tips

ho...ho....ho...
[were all a ho...dont ya know]
ho...ho...ho..ho

ho-hum
bug...grrrr