Covid Christmas

Christmas 2021 was a different Christmas to what we have had before. Because of a Covid cluster on the Northern Beaches, we were only able to have smaller gatherings, church online, couldn't travel far. With Eliza being sick we decided that we would be home, the 5 of us for Christmas. It was a good call because James and Alexander then woke on Christmas morning with colds. Fortunately we had already done shopping for the day, otherwise we might have been a bit hungry. But fortunately Christmas isn't just about family, food and friends. The real meaning for Christmas continued, even in isolation. The real meaning for Christmas was still celebrated and some of our traditions were still followed which was nice.

Christmas Eve we read our Christmas Eve Christmas book together.

Daniel added baby Jesus to the advent calendar.

Christmas morning I woke and read the last chapter of to Gospel of Luke. This year I started my own little tradition of reading a chapter of Luke each day so that by Christmas Day I had read about the life of Jesus and refocussed myself on him. A pretty cool idea and one that I want to try and do each year.

When the Sun came up, Alexander came out singing 'Happy Birthday to Jesus' which was just the cutest! I love that that was his first thought for the day...

Not the presents under the tree (which were also ready to go).

We started our morning with reading our Christmas book.

The kids then got to open their Christmas stockings.

Eliza gave us a rendition of 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' as she pulled out her presents.

Then James and Alexander headed off to get a Covid test. It wouldn't be a Covid Christmas without one, instead our family had 2! I am so grateful for the Covid testers who gave up their Christmas Day to help look after others. I know that other people work on Christmas Day, but for these guys they were probably called in last minute, their plans probably changed from spending the day with family to being at work. Grateful that they were able to be tested on Christmas Day and that the results came through that afternoon.

Meanwhile Eliza and Daniel were playing quite well together at home and played a game of SkipBo while they waited.

This Christmas was one that was different. A few days before I wrote a poem about how I was feeling about this Christmas. Nana J was supposed to come down but couldn't because of borders being closed to Sydney. It was our first Christmas without Boompa and Grayma here. It was our first Christmas just the 5 of us. We couldn't go to church, we couldn't sing together to celebrate Jesus' birth. So much was different this year because of Corona Virus. I had this poem come to mind to get my thoughts out. The first Christmas would have been different, scary, lots of uncertainty, lonely, faith filled.

Christmas 2020 thoughts 

This Christmas will be different

No extended family around the tree

State borders closed to many

Who want to be with family

My heart is hurting because of this

Our plans have gone away

But my mind comes to think

About the first Christmas Day

How Mary must have been feeling

When told her plans had changed

Pregnant with God’s baby

When she and Joseph were only engaged

But she trusted God during this time

She must have felt so lonely

Probably shunned by friends and family

And then having to start a long journey. 

Joseph probably had a plan

That also had to change

He had to have such faith to trust God

As all his plans rearranged. 

He stood by Mary even when

This baby wasn’t his own

He trusted God’s angel who explained it

And the new path he was shown. 

They headed off to Bethlehem 

A long and hard journey to take

They followed Caesar’s instructions for census

An important decision to make. 

Having been in labour myself

I’m sure Mary wished she was at home

To give birth to Jesus

In a place she had known

But instead she was in a stable

No space for her in an inn

When Jesus was born he didn’t even

Have a bed to be laid in. 

But Mary and Joseph trusted God,

They held onto his plan

The Saviour of the world was to come,

Son of God, not of man. 

Their first visitors were not family 

They were strangers who came to see,

They were Shepherds who heard the news

About this amazing baby. 

I’m not saying this Christmas is easy

Away from friends and family 

Probably not able to sing together at church 

Many presents left wrapped under the tree. 

But let us try to remember the first Christmas

And that precious little baby. 

The changes that took place 

Because of this gift for you and me. 

That Christmas was probably different 

To what Mary and Joseph had planned

But they trusted God each step of the way

And were guided by His hand. 

Christmas is more than presents

And spending time with family

It is focusing on our Saviour,

The birth of him as a little baby. 

Let’s trust in God’s plan

As Mary and Joseph did that day,

With those who can be around us

And praise God for his gift this Christmas Day.

I also loved this post that was on Facebook.

Once James and Alexander came home, we put on the Christmas service. The kids enjoyed colouring in some pictures to send to Nat, Steve, Elyse and Owen (a way of celebrating Christmas together even though we were apart) during the sermon. The sermon was a good reminder about our faith, especially at this time of uncertainty. 

Chilli came to join us after the service and enjoyed some lovely cuddles and pats. She really is settling down which is nice and I do love seeing the kids with her.

Then it was present time. We started with a family photo.

Chilli included

The kids opened their cards from us...

And then their presents. This year we tried to focus more on the gift from the giver, rather than the chaos of opening all the presents and not pausing to thank and appreciate the gift they received. Each kid took turns opening one present while the rest of us watched. It was much longer but it was nice to watch what each person received. I loved that each of the kids were excited about their big presents. This year we decided to get them something they want, need, wear and read.

All Daniel wanted was a proper cricket set with bails that came off separately.

Each kid received a Swans jacket

And pool toys to use a Judy's pool

Eliza was so excited to get some make up!

Everyone was excited about another Bluey book

Daniel loved the new Treehouse book

Alexander was excited to get his own headphones and iPod for long car trips.

We were able to do a FaceTime with Aunty Jen, Uncle Ryan, Maddie, Aly and Nana J which was lovely. Tricky to chat and catch up but it was lovely to see their smiling faces and hear about their morning. I'm so glad that Nana J had had a nice morning and it wasn't too hard.

We then did a FaceTime with Nana, Poppy, Auntie Sue and the Howies. It was tricky doing present time over the computer but we got there. The kids enjoyed their presents, Oscar liked his socks (and apparently put them to good use during the day)

Presents over zoom

Eliza was a bit excited by her box of beads

Auntie Jenny liked her Friends game

Oscar liked his socks 'Do Not Disturb, I'm Gaming'

Family Christmas photo

After present time the kids went and had a bit of a play with their presents. Eliza was right into doing her make up and the boys headed outside for a bit of backyard cricket.

A lot of blue eyeshadow

My beautiful girl

Boys having fun playing cricket

We misjudged the timing of cooking lunch (with present opening and everything) so decided to have lunch over 3 courses. We started with an entree and James was excited to open his special Gin bonbon. We don't normally have prawns for Christmas lunch here but we decided why not. Cheese and nibbles were also a nice treat that we usually enjoy.

After lunch I popped over to Mum and Dad's to give them and Auntie Sue a copy of Grandma's poem as part of their Christmas presents. Was nice to see everyone face to face, even though it was quick.

Mum kindly gave me some of the little Woolies Christmas crafts that they did last year. Eliza had specifically asked if they could do them on Christmas Day so Nana provided. She was a bit excited.

Lunch was yummy! We enjoyed roast chicken and veggies. It was really yummy and we were feeling quite full. The Howies gave us a leg of ham but we decided that we would leave it for another day because there was quite a lot of food.

It was nice having Christmas lunch together with giggles and chats.

After lunch Eliza was keen to do my make up. She loved doing it! I had a lot of blush! My make up matched my new earrings from Howie.

Alexander was excited to listen to his iPod for a bit.

The kids liked making Christmas mosaics together in the afternoon.

For afternoon tea we remembered the Christmas Crackers (which we forgot at lunch). And we enjoyed Mum's Christmas pudding, shortbread, brownies and (non)rum balls. Sooo yummy!

I love Mum's pudding!!

We played a bit of family cricket.

The kids got to have some iPod time which was so cute to watch. Each in their own little world but also enjoying sitting with each other.

I took the moment of quietness to sit and draw a picture for Nat, Steve and the kids. I read this passage and saw it in a different light this Christmas. We haven't seen baby Jesus, we haven't seen older Jesus in human form. Yet I still believe and am filled with joy. Even when Christmas was so different this year and not what I had planned.

James surprised me with a little Christmas gift - yummy!

The kids did more mosaic art.

And we played a game of pass the pigs as a family. 

Because we spent the whole day eating (or at least it felt that way) we had a grazing plate for dinner with veggies and fruit. Not too filling.

The kids finished the day with putting baby Jesus on their Christmas trees. 

It was a different Christmas but still a nice one. Spent with family, spent thinking about Jesus's Birthday. It was a different day but we made it our own. We had so much food left over (I went a bit crazy with food for Christmas) Boxing Day was spent eating more, including starting our leg of ham.

James cut our leg of ham

And we put it in our ham bag

Then a few days later we also opened up the gingerbread house to share with each other. The kids were excited to be eating parts of it while we watched a cheered for the Sydney Sixers (who also won that game). Soooo much food! Possibly a bit too much this year. But it was also fun.