A white Christmas … in the outback!

RDP: Tuesday – Tradition

Exmouth, Western Australia

In my early childhood years in India we experienced Christmas as it was celebrated from 1 December onwards. Everyday there would be cooking and baking activity with a range of sweets, biscuits and cakes being made for distribution to all in the neighbourhood, regardless of their faith beliefs and to share with visitors. The treats would be plenty enough to last between Christmas Day and the Feast of Epiphany in January. The theme of sharing was strong. Gifts were rarely exchanged, if at all, but visitors could be sure of one thing, there would always be plenty of food.

I don’t recall Christmas trees in homes or shops. Nor were there Nativity scenes in homes but there was always one in the church. I loved dolls and oh! how I longed to cuddle ‘baby Jesus’ in my arms, but reverence demanded I touch the statue’s feet gently, which I did under my mother’s stern “Don’t you dare!” gaze!

Sadly, my tradition has evolved. From October I’m on the lookout for more Christmas ornaments. Over the years my Christmas tree has become too ornate. I love buying glittering glass ornaments and have too many! I have some that I bought at Harrods and Selfridges in London in the 80s! I can’t bear to part with even one. Each year I add only one new ornament to the collection with a special thought given to the one I buy. This year I was stopped in my tracks. Literally.

The picture above was taken between the township of Exmouth and the airport. It is a remote area. I’m not sure whether the Nativity scene belonged to the nearby farm or someone just decided to place it there. On a fiercely hot day it spoke to me. Driving at 80 kms/hour, I slowed down, turned my car around and reflected. No glitter or gaudy buntings in sight. Just the bare simple message of simplicity, in white cardboard. This, too, is Christmas.

Whatever your beliefs, my wish for you is to be surrounded by the love and laughter of your family and friends on Christmas Day. And, may the Christmas Star shine brightly and lead them to you.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird