I thought that it would be nice to get away from politics for
a change - afterall the Festive Season is just
around the corner.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all
a Festive Season that's filled with warm memories and
magical moments. And a New Year that surpasses all
your expectations.

I would be interested to read what traditions you share
with your family during this special time of the year.

BUSH NATIVITY...

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 possusm 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.

Thank you.

For all those who are suffering and may be alone, know that we think of you and wish you the very best and better fortune. Smile at someone and be rewarded with a smile.

Special thoughts for those who are unwell and their carers. Serious illness can be very isolating and cruel. We think of you and pray.

Dear onthebeach,

Thank You for your comments.

Marianne Williamson put it so beautifully
when she wrote:

"Through prayer some of us may find what
we cannot find elsewhere: a peace that
is not of this world...
Praying for someone is a gracious act.
It gives blessing to the one who prays,
as well to the person who is prayed for."

I believe that if one is able and
can afford to donate money to organisations like
Vinnies and the Salvos, especially at this time
of the year, it would bring faster results.

You did not share with us - how you celebrate this
Festive Season. We'd love to read it.

This year like many previous my family will thank God for His wonderful Son. I will also be extremely grateful for a wonderful wife and children. We will then eat well and be thankful for this blessed nation. A backyard game of cricket if the temperature is less than 40 is likely. Over to a friends pool if its a baking day. Many phone calls to family spread across the nation will follow. Will also reminisce about family and friends that have gone on to face our Maker. Hope all have a blessed time.

Thanks Lexi. Merry Xmas to you, & every one else on here.

When I think of Christmas, & what it means, I remember one spent in Rabaul New Guinea. I was based there, although not actually living there.

It was a strange town, with a couple of thousand Europeans, who were almost all managers, & 20,000 locals in various states of growth. Most of us, who were not plantation owners, were on 2 or 4 year contracts. There was a strong social life based on 6 clubs, each with a bar, dining room & other facilities.

I was a member of the yacht club, usually ate there when in town, & had been co-opted onto the committee, when someone went finish, [left the town].

I as most people there, had quite a few acquaintances, & associates, but no real friends, in this environment.

A couple, members of the yacht club, but not into sailing, invited me, & 3 other crusty bachelors to Christmas lunch. After a light lunch we sat around eating all sorts of treats, Jenny must have ordered in from Oz or the UK, drinking mostly soft drink, with lots of ice.

By evening, when we repaired to the club for a bar b que, Mike & Jenny, & 2 of the bachelors had become friends. One of them was to sail a few thousand miles with me later.

Jenny's kindness to us had turned what could have been a lonely time into one of the nicest Christmases I have had.

I hope you all have good company to share your Christmas with.

Yes, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

I will be home for Christmas this year instead of going to the city to my Relations place as usual. My husband will dust off our once -a-year Webber barbeque and cook the turkey outside so we don't heat up the house. He will drive for 2 hours up to Perth and back, to bring my elderly mum to have Christmas with us.

It is my turn to be on call for my Community Nursing job this year.
This means I can't have my usual gin and tonics on a hot Christmas Day unfortunately, but at least my family have their health.
. It must be awful to be so sick or dying during the festive season, that you may need a nurse to visit you at home on Christmas Day.

So I count my blessings...