<<We had a lovely Christmas lunch at my daughter-in-law's. Turkey, ham, roast potatoes, all the usuals plus my other daughter-in-law brought the desserts - all yum....and then we returned home - totally knackered. I slept well last night>>

One could argue, being totally knackered (in whatever form) many just simply slept. It wasn't necessarily enjoyable. It wasn't necessarily an environment where people slept in heavenly peace.

Many see Christmas in such a way (in whatever way one wishes to interpret or accept it), as a frivolous day of fun and nothing else.

As one person has put it, they wished people would connect, be more giving and supportive of others more regularly throughout a whole year.

A lot of alcohol was consumed this year on December 25th around myself (and worldwide) with nothing much else other than food consumed (for those who can have it). Not much else came out of the day, (maybe some cheap gifts), but beyond that I'm not sure. One could argue Christmas Day is now one of the most sinful out of a 365 day year calendar.

Dear Nathan,

I left out the personal bits - like the breaking of
the blessed wafers from our parish priest that we
share around the table - or the Christmas Mass that
we all attended. Also the sharing (and feeding) of
the residents at my mother's dementia wing of
her nursing home. The singing of Christmas carols
and the spreading of Christmas Joy and cheer in
general.

Christmas Eve is sacred as is and Christmas Day.
Both of which mean a great
deal to our family - there are some family traidtions
that I feel sure so many of us observe and will
continue to do so as we pass these down to future
generations. Not only the customs of our European
families and the special food, but also the traditions
of sharing the joy and the meaning of Christmas -
including going to church and looking after the less
fortunate during this special time of the year. The joy
of giving.

NathanJ, I hope you are taking this to its logical conclusion, and you've never let an apple past your lips!

We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band.
On the right side of temperance we now take our stand.
We don't chew tobacco because we do think
That the people who use it are liable to drink!
Away, away with rum, by gum, with rum, by gum, with rum, by gum,
Away, away with rum, by gum, that's the song of the Salvation Army.

We never eat fruitcake because it has rum.
And one little bit makes a man like a bum.
Now can you imagine a sorrier sight
Than a man eating fruitcake until he gets tight?
Away, away with rum, by gum.....

We never eat cookies because they have yeast,
And one little crumb makes a man like a beast.
Now can you imagine a greater disgrace
Than a man in the gutter with crumbs on his face?
Away, away with rum, by gum.....

We never eat apples 'cause they are the food
That Eve gave to Adam to make him feel nude.
Now can you imagine a sorrier clod
Than a man wearing fig leaves and hiding from God?
Away, away with rum, by gum.....

Cigarettes & Whiskey
Adam Brand

Once I was happy and had a good wife
I had enough money to last me my life
Then I met a girl and we went on a spree
She taught me smokin' and drinkin' Whisky

Cigarettes and Whisky and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

And now I am feeble broken with age
The lines on my face make a well written page
I'm weavin' this story it's sad and it's true
On women and Whisky and what they can do

Cigarettes and Whisky and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

They'll write on the cross at the head of my grave
For women and Whisky here lies a poor slave
Take warning dear friend, for these words are true
Of women and whisky and what they can do

They'll leave you in heartbreak
They'll leave you in pain