The birth of Jesus is commemorated on Christmas day and is celebrated by both Christians and non – Christians for religious and economic reasons. The birth, life, crucifixion and eventual resurrection of Jesus may defy logic, but even a critical eye will find Jesus as a revolutionary who went against the establishment. This simple attribute makes Jesus a person of interest irrespective of religious divisions. No individual in the history of mankind has ever changed the world for good, as Jesus did and celebration of a life of that magnitude warrant an extravaganza.
The exact date of birth of Jesus is unknown, but the Western Christian Church assumed this to be on 25th of December, based on the available information from scriptures. In A.D. 350, Pope Julius I, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25th, the official celebration date for the birthday of Christ. Today Jesus has faded into the background, while Christmas is celebrated all around the world as a shopping festival but with the underlying message is of giving, sharing and togetherness. Today Christmas is celebrated by gift giving, singing and caroling, by sending Christmas Greetings, church celebrations, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. The economic impact of Christmas is enormous
How Christmas is celebrated in Australia
Christmas Lights in Sydney
In the summer month of December Australians celebrate Christmas without snow and in most years mercury touching 40. With nationals from around 220 countries, traditional way of Australian Celebration could be a mixture of many cultures and the grant Christmas Dinner could turn out to be a backyard BBQ. But Christmas shopping still a national addiction, a photo with Santa in the local shopping complex has become a never to be missed feature of an Aussie kid’s life. Many houses will sport Christmas lights , in some cases the whole street is decorated with lights.
On the Eve of Christmas Aussie Children wait for the much anticipated visit of Santa Claus. Kids above the age of five though definitely aware that Santa doesn’t exist, make it a point to insist that they have seen Santa in flush and blood during the last Christmas, just to ensure continuance of his presents.
In Melbourne, Carols by Candlelight is a major attraction on Christmas Eve which began on 1938 inspired by Melbourne radio announcer Norman Banks. The first carols were held in the Alexandra gardens and was attended by a healthy crowd of 10,000. The event grew in importance during the Second World ,when community spirit was much in need.
In 1958 the event was moved to the Sidney Myer Music bowl. From 1969, The Carols by Candlelight is telecasted Australia wide. Two major sporting events traditionally commence on the day after Christmas Day in Australia: the Boxing Day Test cricket test match, and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Sydney has its Carols in the Domain which is marketed as Australia’s largest free Christmas concert. 2013 will be the 31st year of this iconic Christmas celebration.
Adelaide has its Christmas Pageant which is a street parade held annually, attracting crowds of over 400,000 and televised to millions more.
Businesses in Australia often have Christmas parties in restaurants or in their work premises in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Most businesses used to close their doors for three to four weeks during the Christmas period, which enabled the Aussies to go on vacation during this period. But this trend is changing as Australia trying to shed its laid back image.
Melbourne Christmas Tree ( Photo Courtesy: ——)
Popular Christmas Songs
Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells , written by James Lord Pierpont , which was published under the title ‘ One Horse Open Sleigh’ in 1857 is the most commonly sung Christmas Song in the world . Jingle Bells was originally written for singing during the American Thanks Giving. The original lyrics were slightly different from the current version of Jingle Bells
Lyrics for Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring’
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
A day or two ago
I thought I’d take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot
A day or two ago,
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow,
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away.
|: chorus 😐
Now the ground is white
Go it while you’re young,
Take the girls tonight
and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty as his speed[b]
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you’ll take the lead.
Santa Claus is coming to town
The popular Christmas song ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934.
Lyrics for Santa Claus is coming to Town
You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list and he’s checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
So you better watch out, better not cry
Better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list and he’s checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus has come to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Carols by Candle light – Melbourne
We wish you a Merry Christmas
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a popular sixteenth-century English carol . It is one of the few English traditional carols that makes mention of the New Year celebration and is often the last song carolers sing, wishing all good tidings and happy spirits at Christmastime.
Lyrics for We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
REFRAIN
Good tidings we bring for you and your kin,
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
O bring us some figgy pudding (x3)
and bring it right here.
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And we won’t go until we’ve got some (x3)
so bring some out here.
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It’s a season for music (x3)
and a time of good Cheer.
REFRAIN
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