Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 6th December 2008

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 6th December 2008

[This ATAW first published 6 12 2003]

Two Christmases


An Australian Family at Christmas

The bush flies retreat to who knows where
The Currawongs’ strange cries fill the air
Mosquitoes arrive in swarms with a loud hum.
And the kids wonder if Christmas beetles will come
As they often do as the day ends with a darkening sky.
In the south lightening plays in dark clouds up high
Dad says “this is Christmas and the weather’s humid”
And mums says “hey someone can you open this lid?”

Soon a Christmas beetle crashes into the door screen
And the kids gather to admire its glistening sheen
Silvers and blues and reds with greens and over all gold
Soon young John has caught it in his firm hand’s hold
To let it live out its last hours admired in a bottle
A long way from its native gum tree or wattle.
Dad turns steak and sausages on the barbecue
While Mum “says do you kids want salad, too?”

So continues another Aussie Christmas play
At the end of yet another hot summer’s day
There is no written script to learn at all
But almost everything it seems is by recall
Of some ritual acts our forebears laid down
When they came to build in bush and town
Dad turns a steak and says “this here steak’s done”
And mum in reply says “we’ve got food by the ton!”

At church they have been saying Christmas is changing
That people today don’t know the essential thing
Of why we stop the things we do and celebrate
With food and drink and things that taste great
People don’t know why they sing seasonal songs at night
In the park with thousands of others at “Carols by Candlelight”
Dad says out loud “the kids about Christmas don’t have a clue”
Mum says “I think if you ask them, you will find that’s not true”.

So this Christmas night around the almost empty meal table
Dad decides to test if the kids know Christmas fact from fable
Why do we sing of snow and of Santa with reindeer?
And why do we worry so much about presents dear?
John clutching his precious beetle in its jar
Says “oh well Dad that’s a Christmas from places far”
Dad says “on Christmas night I want you kids to think…”
And mum says “who wants another ice cold drink?”

The lightning seems to be getting closer in its play
As Jodie says we celebrate in a modern Aussie way
Its fun to sing of snow, Santa sleighs and jingle bells
But we sing of six white boomers and rusty utes as well.
Santa comes in shorts and stops for a chilled drink or three
And every kid here too eagerly asks “what will he bring me?”
Dad says "that’s very well but why does he always come?”
Mum says “there’s still ice cream left. Who wants some?”

Jodie says “well Dad we love to have our games and fun”
Johns chimes in “yes and I love my toys. Yes every one.”
And young Suzie lisps “I didn’t get my two front teeth
But I know Jesus came at Christmas so we can have ‘peath’”
Jodie laughs “Peace for everyone is what God gives
That’s the best gift at Christmas –that’s why the baby Jesus lives”
Dad says “you are the very best of kids and I will tell you why”
But mum says “I think I hear angels singing quietly in the sky…”

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” they again sing
And a whole choir of crickets and cicadas join in before they take wing
Flying foxes flapping by loudly chatter a song that only they understand
A frogmouth flies by and dad swipes a mosquito that lands on his hand.
John looking at his beetle in the jar says “God I am sure made this pretty thing
And he gave Jesus that we might like the wise men to him our gifts bring”
Dad says “yes we are so far away both in time and in this great land”
Mums says “the washing ups to be done who’ll give a hand?”
[Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
MadOzzie@bigpond.com]


An Event for Everyone (Luke 2 8-20. The Message )

There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!



Ray
MadOzzie@bigpond.com