The smell of pine needles,
Infiltrates the room,
A reminder that Christmas,
Is coming very soon.
Baubles hang from branches,
Tinsel wrapped around,
Scattered down below,
Are presents on the ground.
The Christmas tree is shining,
A sight to behold,
It’s bright and inviting,
A tradition to behold.

Is it hoofs on the roofs
Or hooves on the rooves?
I really want to know.
Or is it hoofs on the roof
Or hooves on the roof,
Please tell me: yes, or no?

Reindeer hooves
Landing on rooves,
Or reindeer hoofs
Landing on roofs —
I don't know which to believe.
But the reindeer don't care
As they fly here and there,
So have a happy Christmas Eve!
 

Photo by Celia Berrell

The old year has almost gone,
And what a year it's been!
So much Covid, so much grief,
The very worst I've seen.

And now a new year beckons;
I wonder, what will it bring?
We can't predict the future,
It might hold anything.

But let me say, here and now,
Before the year's begun,
I pray for peace and safety
For you and everyone!

It's not the lights and tinsel,
It's not the pretty tree,
It's not the piles of presents
That are in the heart of me.

It's the thought of others
Whose lives are in distress.
They need our help at Christmas, 
So they too will feel blessed.

There is a young emu mob lives around here
who come for a visit at Christmas each year.
We all gather ‘round - friends, neighbours and mates -
as Jack, the pub owner, opens the gate.
It’s Christmas day morn and they strut one by one
up the worn footpath. Inside they come
ruffling their feathers, clacking their beaks.
Glad to be out of the flies and the heat.

Lizzie, Jack’s wife, quickly fills each a glass.
Cool water with ice to quench that thirst fast.
If you’re not careful they’ll drink yours down too,
especially the one that Jack calls Tiny Blue!

Tourists that come for a Christmas up here,
lean back on their stools to make the way clear,
hoping the birds will not peck at their food
or poop near their chairs. Now that would be rude!

Lizzie assures folk that all will be fine.
‘Make no sudden moves. They’ll leave in good time.
They don’t stay for long and really are sweet.
All creatures deserve a small Christmas treat!’

The birds gather ‘round as Lizzie and Jack
open their gifts to reveal a new hat!
One each for Tip, Tiny, Frizzle and Jane,
and sewn on the brim, a patch with their names.

It’s special to be here with these feathered four,
as we all watch the mob heading back out the door.
We follow them shouting with much Christmas cheer,
‘Hip hip hooray mates! We’ll see you next year!’

Friends come in all different shapes and sizes and it’s important that everyone feels welcome during the festive season. A Christmas get together Aussie style. 

Based on a true story.

Christmas, Christmas, hurry up!

Christmas, Christmas,
Every year,
Christmas, Christmas,
Getting near!
Decorate
the Christmas tree,
String the lights
so joyfully.
Christmas, Christmas,
Full of fun,
Full of love
For everyone!