Wow. It’s a Kiwi Christmas. The Monarchs are here… Busy with their mating rituals. It’s Summer – very different to associate Christmas with Summer, but I am trying…
We attended Christmas Eve church services at a Catholic Church last night – we aren’t Catholic, mind-you, but did want to go to church, so my brother-in-law invited us to his church. What an amazing experience.
The church congregation is comprised of a number of South Sea Islanders and others from everywhere you can imagine, with a few “English” thrown in for contrast – gorgeous outfits, some native, kids of every size and the most wonderful pageant – a beautiful experience with singing and the liturgical ceremony – not quite what I am accustomed to attending, but very close. We had just been to a Baptism there and so it was not unfamiliar…
My brother-in-law is this big Samoan guy – very comfortable at the church since his mom and dad live right across the street, and he grew up attending – and it was his neighborhood – so it was a very good glimpse into his world. We had supper with his family right after services, and it was totally awesome to break bread with them – then share in their Christmas Eve Santa Traditions…
Gorgeous and loving they all are. Their 100+ year old grandmother in the next room – still sitting up in bed, but having one foot in her next world. The family near, all took turns at her command, coming in and visiting with her – but, really, it was her world that she invited them to glimpse…
Now it is Christmas Day here in Auckland… Sunny and coolish this morning… to heat up later… All of this is really laid-back and normal for the locals – for me, “The American” it is different in a way that I can’t put my finger on… and maybe it is just different from my family traditions.
I think of my Mom’s side of the family – the “milk punch” (yuk), the long ramp up to the meal, after a big breakfast that my Dad cooked for us – usually some kind of eggs and bacon – some kind of gloriously sweet rolls that might have been Pillsbury, but pretty good nonetheless. I am still trying to adjust traditions.
Anyhow, more on this topic later…
Merry Christmas 2014!
