CHRISTMAS AT CUPIDTOWN.
Christmas is one of my favourite times of year. For as long as I can remember, Christmas was the be all and end all time of the year. The blessed day when we celebrated the birth of our Saviour.
All too many people tend to forget the real meaning of “CHRISTMAS” and get caught up in the commercial aspect of the season, thinking that Christmas is all about a holiday, time off work, receiving and giving expensive presents, celebrating with lots of food and drink, living it up and having a party and so it goes on.
But, I am here to tell you that ‘JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.’ All too many people tend to forget this in today’s society. I am hoping, for those of you whom have taken the time to visit my web site during the year, and have come back again now, or if you are visiting for the first time, and have taken the time to visit and stopped in to share Christmas here with us, that you enjoy what I have created here to help get you into the spirit of Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year. May you all have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Where I live, in Australia, Christmas time is not in Winter, hence we do not have a white Christmas like you tend to see in most Christmas scenes and settings. Christmas is during the Summer months for us. Australia is also made up of a multi cultural society which means many different people of many different creeds live here. However, Christmas is still Christmas, and celebrated as the birth of our Jesus Christ.
Towns and cities are decorated with all the festive decorations and a lot of the churches have displays and functions leading up to Christmas, where the real meaning of Christmas is brought forward. We have Carols by Candlelight where all the people gather together in their respective towns or cities and sing Christmas Carols by candlelight and there is always celebrities there and a show for all to enjoy. The nativity is always present, sometimes in the form of a live Nativity where people dress in the costumes of that era and re-enact the birth of Christ.
Because it is Summer, sometimes the traditional oven baked meal is foregone and replaced with salads, cold meats, and a BBQ lunch or dinner. Ham is a very popular choice as well. We have Christmas bonbons, treats, sweets, and egg nog too! Much the same as in other countries of the world.
Here in Cupidtown, we decorate our home in November inside and out. The dog room is also decorated for them and each little one has his or her own Christmas stocking which is hung outside their bedroom doors Christmas Eve and is filled with doggy treats for them to enjoy Christmas Day.
Christmas Day is celebrated with the extended family. We all get together Christmas morning and exchange gifts, then we have lunch together. It is a time of family togetherness.
It is also a time of reflection for those less fortunate than ourselves and whom may not be able to afford the cost of festivities. Many department stores, leading up to Christmas, have a Christmas tree display with name tags of people less privileged whom would otherwise have to go without a Christmas present on the day. Many kind hearted and giving people, take a name tag from the tree, which gives them a name and age of the recipient, and they buy whatever they can afford to give, wrap the gift and then place it back under the Christmas tree along with the name tag.
Christmas is about giving, more so than receiving. Even if you are not financially blessed yourself, you can always give of your time, of your kindness, of your hospitality, and of yourself in some form to a needy person or family.
Presents, need not be elaborate and expensive, which places so much pressure and stress on families, often forcing them to spend more than they can afford and burden themselves with more debt. Presents from the heart, are the ones that are priceless. If you can sew, perhaps you can sew a nice little outfit for a niece, nephew, cousin, aunt, or other relative. If you can bake, perhaps you can bake a Christmas cake or cookies and present them in a festive fashion as a present. If you have a green thumb, you can always grow a lovely potted plant to give as a gift to someone worthy. And if you are blessed with craft talents, then why not make something useful or just simply special for the occasion? All you need is a little imagination, time and thought.
Christmas time is also the time of year to think of your pets, because they are also a part of your family. Do not neglect them when you become busy with the preparations of Christmas and with the hustle and bustle of preparations. And think also of the poor animals in shelters with no one to care for them, alone, and abandoned and if you find it in your heart, and can afford, even a small donation make it for them so they may even have that extra special little something for Christmas.
To one and all, wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous Christmas from all of us at Cupidtown. |
