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| The glory of the Lord shone over them |
Christmas in the Bush can be many things - Carol services are held in halls or sheds and paddocks, an old CWA hall, the school or the back of a truck. The kids all dress up, so do some of the dogs, and they come together.
Not all places have fancy choirs but someone will have a guitar or keyboard or a boom box with some Chrissy songs that are good to sing along too. End of year means the older children are home from boarding school (when you live a long way out of town it is often that or school of the air, as school bus runs don’t happen)
Depending on the season, and your location, Christmas can be a busy time. Down in the Riverina often it was the time for stripping (a custom that when I first heard about did make me not wish to drive around) but was informed by friend it was harvesting of the grain crop, not a performance of the “Full Monty”, though in the heat one would be seeking ways to get cooler. Then came air- con in tractors, trucks and headers (machines that strip the grain).
Plus often the heat brings bush fires, lightning strikes from dry storms,and thoughtless folk driving hot cars in long grass or dropping butts out the window of a car. These can change Christmas day from a rest to full on.
Not all places have fancy choirs but someone will have a guitar or keyboard or a boom box with some Chrissy songs that are good to sing along too. End of year means the older children are home from boarding school (when you live a long way out of town it is often that or school of the air, as school bus runs don’t happen)
Depending on the season, and your location, Christmas can be a busy time. Down in the Riverina often it was the time for stripping (a custom that when I first heard about did make me not wish to drive around) but was informed by friend it was harvesting of the grain crop, not a performance of the “Full Monty”, though in the heat one would be seeking ways to get cooler. Then came air- con in tractors, trucks and headers (machines that strip the grain).
Plus often the heat brings bush fires, lightning strikes from dry storms,and thoughtless folk driving hot cars in long grass or dropping butts out the window of a car. These can change Christmas day from a rest to full on.
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| The tools used for harvest |
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| In the shed on the Farm |
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| At Girilambone school |
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| On stand by on hot days |
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| Temp maybe bit different out here! |
Sadly for many, this has not happened for 3 years or more. Small and large country towns have Christmas Parades, a celebration of what has given the life to the area and those who stepped up . There is really not a lot difference between City and Country maybe the size of the back yard and how far to corner store but the people all just want the best for their families and friends and some Good News. The angel told them
Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.This very day in David's town your Savior was born---Christ the Lord!
So for us, in the light of much that is going on, we long for some Good News. We often forget that message from the skies to those, like us, ordinary folk, that Jesus Christ was born into our lives in a small country town with no room, but an act of kindness allowed them a place to stay and their child to be born, and when the Shepherd left they sang and told all what they had seen. By sharing we can spread the Good News to those we meet - press “Share” and send the GOOD NEWS that Christ is Born into "ALL OUR LIVES" this day and every day
Merry Christmas from the Rural Chaplain team: Sue, Julie and
Phill and a Wet New Year!
Rural Chaplain Phill Matthews
Madpom52@gmail.com
0418627875
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