THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS?????

[shyamwestwind]

Hi
I'm so very depressed thinking about how this Christmas season has been so far and predictably thro the week. We've been doing quite a few gigs and most of the venues look Christmasy, Christmas Trees, Stars, tinsel, fairy lights........they are all there and there are the usual hired Santas doing their job,and we have played and sang all our well practiced carols, but no one wants to sing along and the Christmas gaeity is just not there. Its a totally commercial Christmas and a time to party. The only SPIRIT of Christmas is the SPIRIT inside . gleefully liquid!!!!!!
Christmas carols are confined to churches and no one feels the meaning of Christmas.
I wish to hear different from friends . Tell me about how Christmas is in your part of the world . Tell me that your parties have been full of Christmas Cheer, but tell me TRUTHFULLY.
Merry Christmas Everyone !

[JohnG]

Hi Shyam,
Here in a very cold Germany we still do have a Christmas Spirit. There are still many believers and churchgoers here. Starting at the beginning of the month our Christmas Markets open and although they do sell handicrafts etc. it's not the big commercial world like some countries. Lots of people come to the markets and they are very convivial. Naturally a little Gluhwein gets drunk (a kind of punch) and German sausages (bratwurst) in bread rolls get eaten and so on but it's a festive atmosphere and certainly puts one in the spirit of Christmas.

My partner and I took part in the local school production of Haensel and Gretel (traditional here), she sang and I helped backstage.

Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) we'll go to Susanne's parents house and sing carols, with friends, around a Christmas tree with real candles on it. Christmas day we'll all meet for lunch and have the traditional goose. I shall supply a good old English Christmas pudding.

But wait, no it can't be! I thought I heard reindeers' hooves on the roof. It's just the neighbours upstairs!

The spirit of Christmas still lives over here Shyam.
All the very best wishes to you and your family.
JohnG.

[gibbo]

Merry Christmas Shyam, We're having a wonderful time thus far here at the Gibbo household!
Merry Christmas JohnG, Brrr! I don't miss those northern winters but I do miss the Gluhwein and some of the German traditions.
Tonight (Xmas Eve) we'll have a social get-together with family, friends and neighbours.
I'm really looking forward to it. We'll sing, laugh, drink and be merry!
I understand that some people get the "blues" around this time of year, I never do, I think it's a time when we actually make an effort to express our love for one another.
Merry Christmas to All at Midimart and all the best for a great New Year, Dave.

[thingyy]

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all.

[shyamwestwind]

Yeah thats what I want to hear !!!!!!! True Christmas togetherness and Celebration . sheer Joy of Christmas!!!!!!!! I still remember the good old days when as school kids we formed a gand of frolicking serenaders and climbed up and down the slopes of the hill station we lived in, carrying our guitars, tea chest improvised big bass, harmonicas, plastic mugs, buckets etc .We sang our hearts out and were greeted with wine, cakes and sweets and some times even dinner.They were wonderful days indeed and we all did it for the love of Christ .
Keep those lovely stories coming in.

[Emerald Midi]

Hi Shayam, me old mate. Sorry to learn the Christmas spirit seems to be lacking where you are at the moment, hopefully by now it will all be in full swing.

The craic here in Tipperary is mighty and most people seem really up for a good time at the gigs. So far so good, says the fellow