Some walked, others were on scooters and skateboards or in prams, but have just returned from caroling around our little village, a tradition we do every Christmas Eve. We start small, and as we pass each house, sing carols and bring Christmas greetings our numbers swell as others join us. Despite people already away on holidays we ended up with about 70 in all, plus a few dogs who took great delight in socialising with each other.
For the second year in a row I’ve been crook in the lead up to Christmas and have found it difficult getting into the spirit of things, but there have been moments like tonight which have heartened me and confirmed that the Christmas spirit is still very much alive and well.
It’s funny how you find yourself chatting to complete strangers while browsing or waiting in the long queue at the checkout, people quite content, being patient and not complaining, and even finding store staff being particularly courteous and helpful. Despite all the frenzy of keeping the shelves stacked and attempting to keep some sort of order amongst the chaos of shoppers pulling things every which way, there were four occasions during my shopping spree yesterday where staff went out of their way to help me, even going out the back of the supermarket and searching a pallet for a packet of cocoa of all things as the shelves were stripped bare.
Seeing the carloads of families pull up at Walker Designs in Launceston where my son works, one of the drop off points for the Launceston City Mission, popping gifts down Santa’s chute for less fortunate families, as well as contributing cash to the City Mission’s Christmas Appeal has been nothing short of amazing. With Mrs Claus and the elves greeting those who arrive, their workplace has been inundated since the start of December with so many presents, and along with the ABC’s Giving Tree and other similar appeals, it’s a delight to know those who may have been waking to a bleak Christmas will now have something which will bring not only a little happiness, but a sense of hope as well.
The barriers which are often there when it comes to simply communicating with others tend to relax a little and come down around Christmas, and we are often left wondering why it can’t be like this more often. There really is a lot of goodwill in the community, all we need to do is nurture it so it doesn’t go missing for the rest of the year.
Off to watch Carols by Candlelight, wrap up presents and make Christmas goodies. Merry Christmas one and all.
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