Decking QVB

The Swarovski Diamond tree is, once again, beneath the main dome of the Queen Victoria Building. Winding up three floors, the full majesty of the tree becomes apparent. Well ... it used to. This year the powers that be have erected a garish Santa 'thing' right next to the top of the tree. Appalling ... just appalling. But you, dear readers, have been spared this lapse in good taste and judgement.

Colour my world

Christmas is only two weeks today. It seems to be winding up very slowly this year. To me, at any rate.

Baby's first Christmas

My daughter lugged a Norfolk Island pine home a few days ago, baby in the bjorn on her stomach, pine in a pot on her hip. Determined, would cover it.

Fifty bucks, at the local market. Stands about our height, smidge over five feet.

So, today we decorated it.
Nothing OTT. Or schmaltzie.

But I think it went over well.

A Sydney Christmas - Familytime

Gathering in the apartment of my daughter, we will trade outrageous conservative and liberal political bonmots, devouring the prawns and lobster for which Kirsten and Darren melled in the interminable squash that is the Pyrmont Fish Markets all-night Christmas Eve trade. Washed down by the indupitably first-rate sauvignon-blanc and reisling contributed by Tony, Kirsten's father, and smothered by the fruit flans slaved over by yours truly, the rush to strike the most outrageous social policy stance will invariably be headed by the laterality of son Alastair's brain.

Sated, and ready to declare a social-policy truce until the next gathering, K&D will journey south for an evening meal with the in-laws whereas the rest will repair to my place to install the Wii that the neurologist "prescribed" for my ataxia. Travelling companion, Christine, will join the melee, and the day will draw to a close with a refreshing walk along the sands of Bondi.

May you have a day of laughter, love and friendship in the company of those for whom you care most.

CHRISTMAS DAY The North Wind is tossing the leaves, The red dust is over the town, The sparrows are under the eaves, And the grass in the paddock is brown; As we lift up our voices and sing To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King. The tree-ferns in green gullies sway; The cool stream flows silently by; The joy bells are greeting the day, And the chimes are adrift in the sky, As we lift up our voices and sing To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.

Bondi Beach looking eastwards from Campbell Parade about 7am

Australian Christmas stamps - 2004, 2005 & 2009

A Sydney Christmas - Summertime

Hanging off the end of the world down here, our forefathers ashamedly denied the reality of their own landscape representing Christmas by snowflakes, and holly, by robin red-breasts and log fires and insisting that Christmas dinner be served at noon with a roast and three veg, followed by treacle pudding (hiding thruppences) drowned in a lumpy hot custard. However, it is futile dreaming of a white Christmas or sleighing in a winter wonderland when outside the weather is 40C and sweltering.

Whether caused by cultural cringe or cultural imperialism, the Twelve Days of a Sydney Christmas endeavoured to show that the old ways have changed. We no longer hark back to days of yore, nor do we ape customs and traditions that belong to others. We live in the Southern Hemisphere. Our Christmas is celebrated in summer.

Welcome to one way we celebrate Christmas.

The Surfer - Judith Wright He thrust his joy against the weight of the sea; climbed through, slid under those long banks of foam - (hawthorn hedges in spring, thorns in the face stinging). How his brown strength drove through the hollow and coil of green-through weirs of water! Muscle of arm thrust down long muscle of water; and swimming so, went out of sight where mortal, masterful, frail, the gulls went wheeling in air as he in water, with delight.

Australian Christmas stamps - 1990, 1994 & 1997

A Sydney Christmas - Christmas & hypocrisy - Third day

Detail from the St Mary's Cathedral diorama

The Picture of a Nation: the Statistician's Report on the 2006 Census, divides the nation into Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Other Religions and No Religion. In Religion Across the Generations, the Statistician collates data from the most recent census. The religion question is voluntary and 11.2% of the population chose not to respond. The question does not measure the degree of participation or commitment to religion. It was enough that the individual declared themself to be of a specific persuasion.

The secularisation of the Australian population gathers apace. Between 1971 and 2006, the proportion of people who stated ‘No Religion’ increased from 6.7% of the population to 19%. Add that to those who did not respond and 30.2% of the population is covered.

Looking at the statistics that cover my age group (Lucky) and those that cover the age group of my children (X+Y) we find that the older age group is 70% Christian whereas the younger age group is 46% Christian.

Is Christmas just a retail habit?

Together with a tree erected by the City council, the diorama stands in the Cathedral forecourt, Cook+Philip Place

Australian Christmas stamps - 1984, 1985 & 1986

A Sydney Christmas - Fourth Day

Someone is near the end of their tether!

Sydney Scherzo - John Thompson (Verse 1 only) We, an unabashed people. Yarning, jibing, protesting about what's right or wrong with us, All the long crowded day, in the windy gold and the blue; Hurrying or sauntering workwards at all sorts of times in the morning, With rattle of myriad heels like the noise of a creek; Leaning from windowed eyries hundreds of feet above water, Or far away down in a garden, collapsed on a spongy lawn;

Trapped in a shoppers' jostle of bags and intolerant elbows, Or hemmed by irascible ears where bullocks were want to plod; Making and buying and selling, handing out tickets and dockets - We rebel against the great city, we cavil and chafe at the clamor, The crush, the heat, the struggle, but still say 'Yes' with our hearts.

Martin Place mall outside the GPO. Martin Place runs from the main retail thoroughfare - George Street - up the hill to the main professional thoroughfare - Macquarie Street

Australian Christmas stamps - 1977, 1978 & 1979

A Sydney Christmas - Fifth Day

Carols on the lawns of Vaucluse House hosted by the Historic Houses Trust

The Three Drovers (Verse 3 of 3) The black swans flew across the sky, The wild dog called across the plain, The starry lustre blazed on high, Still echoing on the heavenly strain; And still they sang Noel! Noel! Those drovers three Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!

Girls jigged, and twirled, clapping and singing existing happily in the spotlight. Boys listened, and watched, wrestling and tripping existing preferably in the shadows.

"Ristretto" harmonies floated across the gardens, bringing the throng to their feet for THAT verse of The Messiah

Australian Christmas stamps - 1974, 1975 & 1976

Monochrome Weekend: listening together

Father & son listening to carols on the lawns of Vaucluse House last Sunday evening.

View other contributions to Monochrome Weekend.

A Sydney Christmas - Seventh Day (Reflections)

The Swarovski Tree, Queen Victoria Building, George St

The Three Drovers (Verse 2 of 3) The air was dry with summer heat And smoke was on the yellow moon; But from the heavens, faint and sweet Came floating down a wond'rous tune And as they heard they sang full well Those drovers three Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!

Reflect on other contributions at Weekend Reflections.

Australian Christmas stamps - 1970, 1972 & 1973