CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA.

It's almost Christmas time again

And memory brings us near

To those we often think about

And those that we hold dear.

We draw to the end of another year

With days of trouble and pain

And once more we stand at the threshold

Of a year filled with sunshine and rain.

We don’t have Christmas snow in Australia

But we have days of endless sun

No snowman with his corn cob pipe

But we have holidays and fun.

We don’t wrap ourselves in thick coats

To sing Christmas Carols outside

We sit on blanket in the park

And light our candles with pride.

We don’t have a blazing Yule log

Nor does the snow fall on our day

We have an outside barbeque

And the children splash and play.

We sit in parks and gardens

With umbrellas for shade from the sun

We eat our prawns and salads

And our children laugh and have fun.

We don’t wear thick and woollen coats

Nor hats and gloves to keep warm

We smell the scent of eucalypts and pines

And it is Christmas on the farm.

We sit beneath the Southern Cross

And sing our Christmas Cheer

And hold the thoughts of those

Who are no longer near.

It’s Christmas in Australia

Very different for you to understand

Those of you who come from

A cold and winter land.

It’s summer in Australia

And days are long and bright~

Please remember Christmas “Down Under”

And think of another “Silent Night.”

A silent night beneath the Southern Cross

With and endless open sky  ~

Don’t try to understand

Nor ask the reason why!

Just accept that this is Christmas

Throughout the entire world

And pray that Freedom’s flag

Will very soon be unfurled.

So at this special time of year

When we all draw close and love

Let’s try to release into our lives

Heaven’s Peaceful dove.

Let’s love a little more, and care

And open friendships door

These are the things I wish for you

I cannot wish for more.

©  Linda J.Vaughan

December 12 2003