submitted by Jillian Tincher, Airline Specialist with Joshua Expeditions

The pine tree dominates the room. Decorated with ribbon, tiny lights, and assorted mismatched ornaments made and collected through the years, the tree symbolizes the season. Colored plywood clutters the yard and Christmas carols play in the background as the kitchen bustles with the busyness of cooking. It is Christmastime, but there is one big difference: the temperature outside is 90 degrees! There is no snow and no need for warm coats. Instead, the beaches call and swimming is the activity of choice. Welcome to an Australian Christmas.

Christmas has been a part of Australian culture since the first European settlers arrived in 1788. Though it took a bit of time to adjust to the warmer climate, a tradition now has Santa surfing, exchanging his warm pants and heavy boots for shorts and flip-flops. Beach barbecues, fresh seafood, and plenty of surfing define a typical Australian Christmas and the sports of cricket and yachting capture enthusiasts. There is a large Christmas parade in the city of Adelaide each year, and some traditions are similar to those in North America, including festive lights, gift exchanges, and plenty of good food. But one tradition is purely Australian: Carols by Candlelight is a special event where entire communities join together at local parks and larger venues to sing carols through the night while illuminating the darkness with handheld lights. It is an annual tradition that brings the nation together.

Australia’s mix of ethnic groups and worldwide connections has brought culturally diverse Christmas celebrations to the country, but the origins of Christmas are still a part of Australian heritage. In this way, the season unites, revealing beliefs and traditions shared by cultures around the world. It is these commonalities that remind how the Church is joined together in worship to Jesus, the King who left the glory and perfection of Heaven to become flesh and overcome sin for the sake of all mankind.

Whether you spend the 25th of December surfing or skiing, eating barbecue or roasted turkey, sunbathing or bundling up, we all rejoice together that Emmanuel came to earth. Merry Christmas to all!