Christmas Eve 2014

One of the beautiful things of living overseas, is the blending of different cultures. So many people are far from their home cultures and immersed in a culture that collides with a variety of others. Traditions are shared and adopted- creating a unique kaleidoscope of life.

Gather around, readers,  it's time for another history lesson. This cultural tradition is brought to you by our wonderful friends from Down Under- that's right Australia. In years past I have known a few Aussies, but over the past year we have really cultivated a friendship with Megan. Megan is our go to expert on all things Australian. She explains and clarifies terms or vocabulary, and we often make comparisons between America and Australia. The tradition that was introduced this year was "Carols by Candlelight". Thanks to Wikipedia and Megan, I have learned about this Australian Christmas tradition. It began in the 19th century when miners gathered to sing carols lit with candles stuck to the brims of their safety hats. It was popularized by Norman Banks in 1938, who passed by a window of an elderly woman sitting in her bed listening to Away in a Manger by candlelight alone. He had the idea to gather people to sing carols by candlelight, so no one had to be alone on Christmas Eve. This tradition is often held outside in parks in Australia.

Here's a geography/science lesson. Australia is located in the Southern hemisphere. It's seasons are the opposite of North America's due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis. So Carols by Candlelight also is a seasonal marker for the start of summer.

So, we had our own "Carols by Candlelight". We gathered together at the school yard for dinner and carols. There was stage set up with a brass band. We sat on blankets and ate tacos together. Candles were passed out to each family. (We declined ours, due to the fact we have an active 1 year old and didn't want to set the grass on fire.)

The Christmas Story was read out of the book of Luke, and we had the most adorable nativity scene. Baby Kate was asked to be a sheep. I was asked to be her shepherd. Y'all know I am not the "crafty" type. So I asked another Momma Shepherd and Megan to come over and watch a movie and make sheep costumes. Our costumes were white pants and a white shirt with cotton balls hot glued all over it. It looked great when I folded it up and put it in the bag to take with us, but when we actually put it on her cotton balls were coming undone and she looked more like Mr.Tumnus from The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

 

Baby Kate and the other angels, sheep, shepherds, wise men were all adorable. Kate left a trail of cotton balls behind her. We had to fight her against pulling the off and eating them, which reminded me of Buddy the Elf.

 

We even sang an Australian version of Jingle Bells, with a few words translated for the masses to understand. I'll leave you with the lyrics and no translation! :)

 

Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust,
esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side,
singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in
my singlet, shorts and thongs

 

Oh! Jingle bells,
jingle bells,
jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut !,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine's getting hot;
we dodge the kangaroos,
The swaggie climbs aboard,
he is welcome too.
All the family's there,
sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way,
by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells,
jingle bells,
jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia
on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

 

Come the afternoon,
Grandpa has a doze,

The kids and Uncle Bruce,
are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go,
we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through,
before the washing up.

 

Oh! Jingle bells,
jingle bells,
jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute