Christmas 2024
by Max Pringle OAM
I reminisce about Christmas
In the days when I was young
It was the highlight of the year
Couldn’t wait for it to come.
Though we only got one present
We were all as proud as punch
And treated it with loving care
When it came down to the crunch.
It was such a celebration
Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake
A Christmas lunch fit for a king
All that food that mum would bake.
There were cousins who would drop in
And some neighbours who would call
All the drinks ice blocks and lollies
‘Twas the greatest time of all.
Of course there’d be a cricket game
Though we never knew who won
We weren’t playing for sheep stations
We were just out having fun.
An afternoon trip to the creek
Where we’d have a cooling dip
Then walk back home across the farm
Feeling hotter for the trip.
We didn’t go to church back then
At least not on Christmas day
Our church held service once a month
The next church too far away.
These days not many go to church
They forget how it begun
Their interest is in Santa Claus
They don’t think about God’s son.
Yet without Him there’s no Christmas
It’s His birth we celebrate
So let him back into your life
You won’t find a better mate.
