• E. M. Kershaw. An Australian Woman's Christmas.
• Enid Fisher. Christmas at Carnarvon Aborigine Mission.
• Shirley Ludgater. Christmas in the New Hebrides.
• Dorothy Heard. Christmas in Western India.
• Lillian Lantz. Christmas in America.

      In this Christmas pamphlet five women, each with very different experiences, tell of the celebration of this Holy Season from their particular point of view.

      Mrs. E. M. Kershaw is a Methodist lay-preacher and writer who is well known for her "Garden" Booklets, her radio devotional talks, and particularly through her work of preaching at women's meetings in churches of all denominations throughout Melbourne and Victorian country towns.

      Mrs. E. Fisher is the wife of the superintendent of the Churches of Christ Aborigine Mission at Carnarvon, W.A. Coming from Melbourne, where she was active in local church work, she now shares the important task of conducting the mission at Carnarvon. An ex-school teacher, she finds ample opportunity for specialist work in helping mission teenagers with their studies.

      Mrs. S. Ludgater is the wife of the school teacher at Londua, Aoba, in the New Hebrides. As a newly-wed she went with her husband to the Churches of Christ Mission on Aoba, where they both have given a splendid account of service for the Lord. Mrs. Ludgater trained for mission service at the Churches of Christ Federal College of the Bible, Glen Iris.

      Mrs. D. Heard, with her husband served our Indian missions for a long term. Having studied at the Federal College of the Bible, Glen Iris, she, with her husband, spent 12 years in India. At Baramati she gave supervision to the 5 to 8 years old boys group. Mrs. Heard worked among the women, several times being their president. With Miss Skuce, she inaugurated the Good Companions' Clubs for girls, and was also doing evangelistic work among the Hindu women, assisting the Bible Women.

      Mrs. L. Lantz is at present, with her husband, helping the Victorian-Tasmanian Department of Christian Education. For five years she has worked as a nurse, as well as being actively engaged in the women's programme of her local church. In this she has been a group and study leader. Mr. Lantz is the National Director of Adult Work and Family Life for the Department of Christian Education of the United Christian Missionary Society. U.S.A. It is in this work that Mr. and Mrs. Lantz are helping at present in Melbourne.

      It is the season of Summer days. For some years, the custom of a family gathering with the traditional dinner of roast beef and plum pudding was brought from England by our great grandparents, where Christmas was celebrated in the winter season, and some Australian families still resort to that old custom--our own family included. We still rejoice in all gathering together for the special and wonderful occasion--the birthday of Jesus Christ, who came that we might have life more abundantly.

      The Preparation. What a busy time. Shopping excursions to the great cities to buy presents for loved ones and friends. Gifts that will hang on the fir tree, or brought with the postman's whistle. They need not cost much. We only wish to remember each other with tokens of affection and friendship to mark the day when the Gift of gifts was made. Children are taken to be introduced to "Santa" and through all the gaiety, the trumpet is still heard, mouth organs and flutes add to the noise. The intense heat often sends multitudes of people to the beaches, for Australia so abounds with many beautiful seaside resorts. Guest houses are full. Others prefer the cooler Australian bush, where grass is still fresh and late wattles are in bloom. And there we see also our native Christmas Bush, sweet-scented, snowy flowered. Look at it! It grows so easily and rapidly, soon becoming a fine tree. Each Australian State has its own particular bush or tree. In New South Wales it is pink-flowered; in Western Australia orange; but in all States beautiful.

      In the hills near Melbourne, a Christian Convention is held, where "All are one in Christ Jesus." This cry arises on the perfumed air, to celebrate the birthday of the Babe of Bethlehem. And voices are in tune as the most ancient hymn in Christendom, Adeste Fideles, is sung with fervour.

      Christmas carols are sung everywhere. A friend of mine once watched a London policeman in control of a tremendous stream of traffic, at the corner of Oxford Street, hold up his white-gloved hand, and instantly all the traffic stopped. And why? Because a little child was trying to cross the busy street. He has come! The Babe of Bethlehem, the Boy of Nazareth, the Man Who as Divine Carpenter, Teacher, Physician, walked through Galilee, and suffered on Calvary's hill. And so wherever we are on that great day, whether we watch some cricket match at a sport's ground, or stand in reverence in the Holy Place, we remember. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

      "Father Christmas in the shops at Perth and it's October!" Like wildfire the news flashes around the mission amongst its 124 native children. Eager little faces, with eyes a-sparkle are lifted to whisper the wish for a long-desired toy; teenagers decide to write that very minute to parents, pleading to be taken to the Station, the Reserve, the Out Camp, anywhere at all just so long as they can "belong" to someone of their own, to love them. An older group still, furtively turn

the pages of advertisements, or secretly ask in an agony of apprehension--or joyful anticipation--what could I suggest for the nicest girl or boy they know; whilst the mission staff literally gather their forces together to meet the coming onslaught of Primary and High School break-ups, Cub and Guide concerts, C.E. items, final examinations and their attendant results, the compiling of clothing lists for the Christian Women's Fellowships for 1963, Christmas Tree gatherings, sometimes a wedding with clothes and breakfast to be provided, or perhaps a farewell, the packing of clothes for children going to the Stations or billets, to the beach for January holidays, to Conventions or special camps, or for those going out to the first job, or to Perth and other States for further education. Holidays for staff with children must fit into school dates and drivers must be considered for the bus or truck with the children in Perth for January holidays.

      But Christmas at the Mission commences the previous February when the Women's groups of our churches in Australia put their time and talents and treasure into clothing parcels for each child. The arrival of the mission truck heaped high with huge crates, tea chests and cartons and sacks, is synonymous with the commencement of Christmas for our children. The bush telephone buzzes excitedly, and all the way up the drive from the kitchen garden to the big shed, the cry re-echoes, "Hurrah! hurrah, our clothes have arrived!" There is no dearth of willing helpers to unload the gifts and by 10 a.m. next morning the staff have the big tin shed resembling a small emporium. There are sections for toys for Christmas Eve and the Christmas Tree night, books for anniversary prizes and the Common Room, equipment for the sports-minded (which means the majority here, as the native children are born athletes), linen, curtains, patchwork quilts, assorted footwear, school material and toilet requisites, and finally the children's individual clothing parcels encased in clear plastic bags or coloured pillowslips with the addition of a pretty card and often a birthday or special Christmas gift. This year an eight year old boy from New South Wales sent his train set and a little girl her pyjama case with a new pair of pyjamas in it. If only the C.W.F. ladies could know the joy and war m-hearted feeling of "all one in Christ Jesus" the and opening of these gifts bring, not only to the children, but to the staff who come from all States. Happy memories of former days spent at home and in friendly churches, flood back and call to remembrance and prayerful thanks to our Father for the tie that binds all Christian hearts however far apart. Early in December the W.A. Fellowships send a Christmas cake to every lady worker on the field. Others make Christmas cards with gifts which can be used for the Christmas tree, so that each child receives at least one card. This gives an opportunity to reach many outside the mission who have never had the chance to learn the real meaning of Christmas.

      Parents and friends crowd the big dining room to attend the Christmas Tree function. Each child receives a small gift. Those who do not attend the mission, or who have returned from their work for the occasion are not forgotten. Item are given by the C.E. groups, and a splendid chance to witness for the Lord is given. Parcels are then wrapped to send out to mission girls and boys on the stations. Sometimes they are the only ones on the station who are Christian, and some are up to 2 and 3 hundred miles from a church. We do thank the Lord for this provision. Many homes are opened for individual children and the rest go to Mandurah or Waterman's Bay, a 650 mile trek by road in the mission bus or truck.

      With cartons of clothes, tanks of petrol and drums of water, all is prepared for the 250 miles journey to Geraldton before the next garage. Meals must be cut, mattresses, blankets and pillows stowed away for the night's sleep. Excitement mounts as one reaches Perth by mid-afternoon next day.

      Christmas Eve, each house parent, armed with a pillowslip with name attached for each child, chooses the toys or gifts for his dormitory. A short service held for all on Christmas morning and with chores hurriedly completed, presents are opened. Each section visits the others and each mission family and single workers exchange gifts worth 5/- or under. Never has ingenuity been so taxed!

      Our numbers drop to 80 odd, with the addition of some ex-mission young folk and visitors for Christmas dinner in the decorated dining room, and our hearts are full of praise to God for the loving concern and monetary gifts which have made such Christmas cheer possible.

      What does Christmas mean to the mission child! After gazing with adoring eyes at the Manger Scene and being told about Christ's birthday, one little five year old at the Reserve asked, very surprised, "Aren't we going to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Him?", and then added. "I want to give Him something nice."

      Oh, the thrill of teaching and guiding these young lives until they look beyond the manger, beyond the Cross, beyond the Risen Lord, to the place where each has learnt to commit his life to the Master, to be guided wholly by His Spirit. to be filled with the fulness of God.

      That, dear fellow-workers together with God in this place, is yours and our task.

      It would be almost impossible for most of us to think about Christmas without associating it with the many traditions that have been familiar since childhood, yet as a festival, Christmas had a pagan origin and several quaint customs to which we cling had doubtful beginnings. What then is Christmas stripped of the rush of last minute shopping; without pictures of Santa beckoning you into every store? Why is it that even here in the New Hebrides we feel a difference about Christmas? Is it the fact that our minds are conditioned by the past? This is undoubtedly so to a certain extent, but such an occasion as the birth of a Redeemer calls forth joy and when people are happy they must do things to make it evident. Hence we build up traditions and if any are removed, others necessarily take their place.

      Christmas is a time of sharing--of fellowship, gift giving and worship. With these ingredients, the spirit of Christmas remains unchanged whatever our country or company. There is wonderful joy as we turn from the world's pessimism to ponder again the message of peace and goodwill, to realise its implications and pray for those without our hope. Would you query gifts as an essential? To me, Christmas could not be without them--especially out here! Neither do I believe that there would be more than the barest minority unable to fashion some means of giving to those they love. One of the things which impressed me on reading "The Diary of Ann Frank" was the way that no birthday or festive occasion passed in those upper rooms without the thoughtfulness of small gifts from each imprisoned there. As a mission, we distribute

gifts and clothing from the mission boxes and the people give back in the form of kais and gifts for the hospital.

      Giving is part of the essence of the Christmas spirit--"For God so loved that He gave." and though a Christian endeavours to uphold this spirit throughout the year and is exhorted to keep rather than celebrate Christmas, yet it is of course true that our "keeping" can be beautifully expressed in our celebrating and out here we go to as much trouble as anyone elsewhere to make Christmas a joyful celebration with all the trimmings. The folk here love decorations and the churches and kai houses are decked with flowers, branches, streamers and anything else available.

      The tradition of carols too has been readily adopted. Fond of singing at any time, the islanders make sure that their carol season is not limited to a few days. It may commence one or two weeks before Christmas and continue for several weeks after during which time it is riot at all unusual to be awakened at about 3 a.m. by an enthusiastic choir at the door (who continue singing until rewarded with lollies!)

      What is Christmas to a new Hebridean? This would be difficult to answer accurately, but perhaps taken on the average, he holds it as more of a holy season than a high percentage of his white brothers. Here, Christmas is a time of baptisms--how significant!--a time when the outer sign of an inner rebirth is performed: when we commemorate that wonderful birth which showed us the need and way to regeneration. It is a touching sight to see the long double line of male and female candidates standing with folded hands and bowed heads on the beach as they wait to be led along a chain of elders and deacons into the Pacific waters. Later follows a time of first communion and though some may feel this more appropriate to Easter yet the message of God's love and the feeling of newness of life is a powerful one at Christmas for all who stop to analyse it. Even in time, Christmas marks the end of an old year and heralds in a new. Men not necessarily associated with the church give thought to fresh starts at Christmas and compile lists of resolutions for the New Year.

      Yes, here as at home, we have our solemnity, our joy and our traditions, and one which has become precious to us is the time we set aside each Christmas to be refreshed by the beautiful music of to Handel's Messiah.

      All over the world people come home for Christmas. So it is in India, the one time of the year for family re-unions. Fireworks, all-night cooking sessions and dramas make Christmas different there from what we know.

      Preparations for Christmas begin weeks before. The wife puts away a little money and lays in stocks of sugar, raisins and spices. Pieces of material are bought for each of the children. New clothes which are needed, rather than toys are the usual gifts from parents. The children begin to prepare the long strings of paper flags to decorate their homes. A "Star of David" is made ready to be hoisted up the pole at the door of each louse. Young people have been busy rehearsing the Christmas drama. The parts learnt, practices go on to perfection.

      Hindu Influences. Being converts from Hinduism, many Christians miss the recurring observances of the holy days more than anything

else they have left behind. In renouncing the worship of idols many of them have lost their sense of the integration of life, and of the continuity between daily routine and the realm of the spirit. So they make what they can of the few festive occasions we have given them.

      Christmas for a whole week! The proximity of Christmas to the New Year has led to Christmas being celebrated for seven days. One of the main Hindu feasts, Divalli is observed in October lasting for 6 days. Christians have been influenced not only by the length of this festival of lights, but also by its symbol--the row of lamps at each door. So they place theirs to honour the birth of the Light of the World.

      Christmas goes off with a Bang!

      On Christmas Eve the stage is set for the drama. Curtains are taken from our bungalow windows to be used as drapes for the stage and robes for the "wise men." Over 2,000 people are seated, Hindus, Muslims and Outcastes, and Christian families in force--to see the play of the story of the Christ-child. When the final curtain fails the women hurry home to light their fires and begin cooking the food for the next day. At midnight the church bell rings in the day of goodwill. Son-fires are lit and as the flames leap upward one hears the deafening noise of crackers. Another imitation of the Divalli festival fireworks.

      Come, All ye faithful. The bonfires remind us of the shepherds so warmed when the angels appeared. Groups of carol-singers tour from door to door. They are greeted with small gifts of money and sweets, and continue to sing until dawn. After 3 or 4 hours' sleep, everyone has breakfast and comes to church. They are all dressed in new clothes. Within each family Christmas presents are mostly clothes, while plates of food from the night's cooking are given to friends and neighbours. The plate brought to your door must not be returned empty. During the 3 hour service many of the beautiful Marathi Christmas lyrics are sung.

      The Christmas Cheer Party. After lunch Father Christmas comes first to the Children's Homes to give presents and then to the tea-party in the church grounds. All again gather and presents of small toys are given, one to each of the many hundreds of children of Christians. The cost of the presents and tea-party are met from the gifts of the Australian churches to Indian Christmas Cheer.

      At sunset tired children drop asleep. Weary parents sit outside their doors talking of the day's happenings. Missionaries too, very weary gather to pray and sing, this time in English, of the wondrous birth.

      A number of years ago Bing Crosby made a Christmas record called "White Christmas," which has become symbolic of the Christmas season all across the American continent. For permeating all the hubbub that constitutes last minute preparations is the hope, unspoken and expressed, that there will be snow for Christmas. Across much of the United States this wish is granted, and looking out on Christmas morning the early risers may behold a fairyland of dazzling white, where all the ugliness of the countryside has disappeared beneath an immaculate coverlet.

      To many people this is Christmas--this, and the gaily decorated and lighted Christmas trees in the windows, casting their welcoming glory out over the frozen ground; and the decorated shops and streets; and the Christmas music amplified

and broadcast across the mass of frantic shoppers; and the gifts. To all Americans everywhere Christmas means the exchange of gifts--giving and getting, which has been traditional to Christmas for generations, and the Santa Claus myth is dear to the hearts of all.

      But Christmas is more than these things--Christmas is sharing. Where Bible school children once celebrated Christmas at church by singing carols around a Christmas tree and being presented a gift from Santa Claus, now children are encouraged to bring gifts for others to be laid at the foot of the tree or hung on its branches. One church planned a mitten tree, where each child was asked to bring a pair of warm mittens which could be given to someone who needed them at Christmas. Church congregations bring gifts for the residents of institutions. They are wrapped all in white, and are dedicated in a traditional and lovely "white gifts service."

      Baskets of food are prepared and delivered to needy families, and, special appeals for money receive: generous contributions, for the season is infused with a spirit of brotherly love, and no-one can be allowed to remain in want at such a time? Groups of carollers visit hospitals, institutions, and perhaps the homes of shut-ins, to sing the wonderful story of Christmas.

      Christmas also means family, and relatives often travel great distances to be together at this glad season. Those whose homes are too far away, or those who have no families, are invited into family groups to share dinner and the special fellowship of Christmas.

      But Christmas is even more than this. Christmas is Christ, and American churches have made every effort to put Him back into Christmas. Worship and communion services may be found in some churches at midnight on Christmas Eve. Other churches conduct family worship services on Christmas Day. Many churches have special vespers services all during the advent season in an attempt to emphasise the Christian aspects of this holiday.

      A visitor to America at this Christmas season would find an observance subtly different from that of a generation ago. For despite the unremitting drive to commercialise this holy day the churches are experiencing a deepening sense of its true significance.