A perfect Christmas

Today was a Christmas that wasn't going to be a family occcasion. Both of my children and their partners came home a few weeks ago, and we celebrated a birthday party. My Darl's children are in Canberra - just too far away to even consider, though, we would have loved to be with them - that is another story.

Instead - we had a Christmas dinner with a difference, but one that our Pastor and his wife have been doing for 15 years.

We had Christmas Dinner at church for people without family to have Christmas with. We had nearly 100 people, and I shared a table with person who sleeps on the streets, a lady whose fiance died a couple of months ago and is still suffering, a 87 year old gorgeous lady who could barely walk, but had the most wonderful joyful spirit, my Mum, husband and a friend and her husband. It was wonderful.

I made Christmas cards for everyone, and had some help from some ladies making an A4 size placemat with old Christmas cards on them, a paper box with lollies, a bookmark and a little Christmas decoration in it, and we had presents for everyone.

Various businesses and people donated the food (roast chicken - cold, cold ham, salads, bread rolls, plum pudding -cold, ice-cream, fruit salad and custard, and the most beautiful 4 tier Christmas cake made by a friend).

A couple of times I took around a big bowl of party ice and dispensed it to everyone into cups, and down people's backs. It was so hot (38 (100) degrees) that people devoured that up, and seemed more appreciative of the ice than the food even.

To me this is a perfect Christmas - giving to people who don't have everything/ and some, anything - it was kinda like a village Christmas.

So this is Christmas - a time to give, not exchange, gifts. A time to be together, but not necessarily with those you are with all year. Enough food, but not stuffed. Serving others.

I think that is the Christmas message