Happy Christmas

[PhilipYana]

Just writing to wish fellow members of CC a Happy Christmas and New Year.

[JD]

To you too, Philip. Here's to lots of sales in 2009!

Jane

[HayleyWriter]

Hi all,

It really is Christmas for me! It's 6.35am on December 25, and in houses all over Sydney little children are currently waking up their parents and seeing what Santa Claus gave them.

Last night we hosted a dinner for some friends, (roast turkey and roast vegetables and gravy - the "traditional" Christmas fare here and then a non-traditional but entirely yummy cookies and cream cheesecake for desssert), and then went to the Anglican equivalent of the Catholic Midnight Mass at Church - it started at 11pm and finished just after midnight. Since my husband and I are very active in our local church, it was a busy service for both of us. James did a reading and helped the minister to serve communion, and I welcomed the people and served as an usher during communion. Then after chatting a bit with friends, we packed up the church and prepared for communion for Christmas morning services, and then counted the offering. All this meant it was 1am when we got home. I do love going to church at this time of year, as the normal hymns and songs we sing turn into carols and songs of joy at the Lord and Saviour's birth.

Later, we will take James' aged mother to his sister's house and have another meal to celebrate. James' mum is a bit "traditional", and likes the roast dinner, but we also incorporating a modern Christmas tradition in Australia with some seafood for starters. Yesterday (Christmas Eve), the fish markets in Sydney caused the biggest traffic jams in the city, as thousands scrambled to get their prawns (similar to the American shrimp), lobsters, oysters, mussels, and fresh fish for the seafood Christmas lunch.

I thought it would be interesting to share a little bit about how we celebrate Christmas in Australia, and I am hoping others will chime in with their experiences too. Let's really share the peace and joy this Christmas!
Hayley

[BethFields]

Happy Holidays to each and every one! Ho Ho Ho

[Celeste Stewart]

Hayley, you got a jumpstart on us all! I remember living on the other side of the International Date Line and being a day ahead of the rest of the world. It's not even Christmas Eve evening here yet. The sun's trying to peek through the clouds, but no such luck. We'll be having festivities at my parent's house tonight and Christmas will span several days. My dad's birthday is today, so we always have filet mignon for dinner on Christmas Eve followed by a big turkey dinner on Christmas Day.

Santa somehow manages to appear every Christmas Eve when we're out looking at the neighborhood lights. Try as I might, I haven't been able to spot him and I always wondered why he gets to our house first. We must've been pretty good all year :)

Merry Christmas all, no matter where in the world you are!

[Word Gypsy]

Happy New Year Philip and to everyone else as well!