Ive just sent out the weekly email, and I was prompted to write about MY meaning of Christmas. For me, so much of Christmas is about family and friends, and over the years thats come to be reflectedin my yearly Christmas 'Traditions'. Some of these I have been doin for a long time, some are much more recent. But these are the things that make Christmas for me.
Going to see the Myer Windows. I know its a kiddie thing, and it was something that was there throughout my childhood. Every year Mum would take my sisters and I into the city for a day, to visit Santa at Myers and then line up and see the windows. I got too cool for it in my teenage years, but started going again when I turned 18. The night in at the windows, queueing up for the animatronic story is always fun and remiscient of what Christmas used to be about - innocence, joy and good company. Plus, we always go out for some good goofing off afterward.
Carols at Whitehorse. Ive gone to this each year for at least ten years, and with various groups of people. Each year its great to be there, I always run into my sister and her friends (until last night, which ruined that), kids I work with at the high school, most of the families from the primary school, people from churches, people I know from working at the service station and people I went to school with. All these people come together, regardless of how 'religious' they are, to share food and drink with each other, and sing Christmas Carols. Not Christmas songs, but proper Christmas Carols. Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. We see the kids choir sing, we see the cool nativity with real animals and baby Jesus. We Love Dennis Walter. And on that night, we all love Jesus.
The Christmas lights. It's cheesy, but I do like to see the Griswald-like efforts that some people go to, lighting up their homes with Christmas spirit. We search out the ones that actually reflect a Christian Christmas, we pause whenever we find carollers or teenage girls playing recorders and violins badly. But its always a good experience with friends. The boulevard in Ivanhoe is one the biggest, but there's some good sets to see in Dingley, Lilydale and Rowville as well. More and more seem to be doing it these days, with houses lit up everywhere.
Free Golf on Christmas day. Someone pointed out to me last year that Golf clubs are all closed on Christmas day, but are happy enough for people to play. Nervously, Owen, Rich and I headed out onto the course. The first time we saw a staff member, we got ready to hide, but he waved happily and we kept playing. It was a nice relaxing way to spend a sunny evening, and I hit my best 9 hole score in a long time.
Late night shopping at Chadstone. Back in the days of 90 hour weeks at Hungry Jacks, I rarely had any time to do my shopping, and Chaddy started 24 hour trading on the 23rd. It became a novel thing, a late night out with some mates. Two years ago it peaked, with 30 000 people piled into Chadstone at 2am. The foodcourt is pumping the whole time, people go out there with no intention of shopping at all - just dressed up to 'strut'. These days its the way I do the bulk of my shopping.
Carols by candlelight rehearsal. The cheap way to enjoy the Carols at the Sidney Myer music bowl. Its much more relaxed, a family atmosphere, and you get to sing some of the songs several times over. And the whole thing is worth if for Hi-5 and Humphrey. I wonder if plucka will be there this year? Maybe Fat Cat as well.
Christmas Day. Church with my church family in the morning, and a time spent in praise and worship. Lunch with the extended family, Grandparents, Cousins, Aunties and Uncles, and this year Baby Jack. Good food, almost civil conversation, a pretty nice time. Then in the evening I get together with my friends, we have supper and share gifts, and watch the panel Christmas special. A nice way to end the day.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The name's Bond. James Bond. (Ian Fleming's James Bond)
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing a movie franchise revitalised. Actually, forget that, re-envisioned. I've been a Bond fan ever since Dad had me watch Goldfinger when I was 5. Ive seen all the old movies in retrospect, watched every new one since Goldeneye on opening day (and usually in a suit). I've liked the gadgets, loathed the villains and loved the girls. Ive debated the merits of the different Bond actors (Connery!) the different Bond girls (Natalya) and the best nemesis (Jaws). Loved all of the movies, but I also own all of Fleming's original books. Bond movies have always been about elaborate death schemes, big opening sequences with theme songs and witty (or sleazy) one liners. The James Bond of the novels is darker, more disturbed. He dislikes his job - actually he dislikes himself - but he knows that the only thing that he is suited for in life is to be a 00. He drinks heavily, he drives fast, and he is tough, arrogant, and willing to succede at any cost. It's all he knows how to do.
Every Bond movie produced by Broccoli Productions (and therefore every Bond movie considered canon) since the first, Dr No in 1962 has had the title "Ian Fleming's James Bond in....." , but this movie is the first one to actually live up to that title. Casino Royale was the first book written by Fleming, and it is fitting that they have returned to this story for a re-boot of the franchise. The theme song is great (Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden and Audioslave), the sets are exotic and brilliant, and the camera and sound quality what you expect from a big action film. The plot of the book has been seized, updated and expanded into a 2.5 hour adventre that re-introduces us to Bond on his first mission as a 00. Some liberties have been taken, but all the major plot cues are still exactly as they are written originally. This movie IS James Bond as he always should have been.
From the beginning, where we finally learn how the man became a 00, we follow Bond through his first mission to take down a terrorist operation (backed by a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre). Bond gives it his all and faces down an entire army (and a construction site) only to find his cover almost blown and himself in disgrace with MI-6. Of course, this is Bond as we've always loved him. Instructed to take some time off and re-think his position as an agent, Bond naturally forgets the agency all together and goes straight after the bad guy by himself. Bond saves the day, and earns his way back into active service, sent up Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. Cue Brassy Bond music, a beautiful agent (Vesper Lynd), the fast car (Aston Martin DB7) and a gun. Nothing else needed. Actually, one other thing needed - A dry martini 'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel Got it?'
I'm not going to spoil the rest. There's heaps more to come, but I suggest you go see it for yourself.
Every Bond movie produced by Broccoli Productions (and therefore every Bond movie considered canon) since the first, Dr No in 1962 has had the title "Ian Fleming's James Bond in....." , but this movie is the first one to actually live up to that title. Casino Royale was the first book written by Fleming, and it is fitting that they have returned to this story for a re-boot of the franchise. The theme song is great (Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden and Audioslave), the sets are exotic and brilliant, and the camera and sound quality what you expect from a big action film. The plot of the book has been seized, updated and expanded into a 2.5 hour adventre that re-introduces us to Bond on his first mission as a 00. Some liberties have been taken, but all the major plot cues are still exactly as they are written originally. This movie IS James Bond as he always should have been.
From the beginning, where we finally learn how the man became a 00, we follow Bond through his first mission to take down a terrorist operation (backed by a terrorist financier, Le Chiffre). Bond gives it his all and faces down an entire army (and a construction site) only to find his cover almost blown and himself in disgrace with MI-6. Of course, this is Bond as we've always loved him. Instructed to take some time off and re-think his position as an agent, Bond naturally forgets the agency all together and goes straight after the bad guy by himself. Bond saves the day, and earns his way back into active service, sent up Le Chiffre in a high stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. Cue Brassy Bond music, a beautiful agent (Vesper Lynd), the fast car (Aston Martin DB7) and a gun. Nothing else needed. Actually, one other thing needed - A dry martini 'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel Got it?'
I'm not going to spoil the rest. There's heaps more to come, but I suggest you go see it for yourself.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
What's a community?
Community: A group with common goals & desires; a group of people living in a particular local area; a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other .
In life, we all look for community of some kind. People to talk to, share with, find love from. Its a basic human desire to be with other people. For some that might meabn large and diverse groups, for others much smaller and comfortable groups. We find it in family, sporting teams, work colleagues, friends, and in other groups that we may join in our lives.
For many, it's found in church. Our church is spending the next few months specifically looking at how to grow a strong community within our walls, and hwo to better associate with the wider community outside it. I think this is great. This year our church community has grown in big big ways.
But I'm niggled by something - while we are growing as a community, are we growing as a Christian community? Are we just a big club, where 'we're just members of a system that has rules that make us feel comfortable', a group of people who like the niceness, and trust, and good moral values that come from being a Christian? True believers and followers of Jesus should be more than just a good strong community. It's gotta be more. No-one can have a real encounter with the son of God and walk away from it unchanged.
In life, we all look for community of some kind. People to talk to, share with, find love from. Its a basic human desire to be with other people. For some that might meabn large and diverse groups, for others much smaller and comfortable groups. We find it in family, sporting teams, work colleagues, friends, and in other groups that we may join in our lives.
For many, it's found in church. Our church is spending the next few months specifically looking at how to grow a strong community within our walls, and hwo to better associate with the wider community outside it. I think this is great. This year our church community has grown in big big ways.
But I'm niggled by something - while we are growing as a community, are we growing as a Christian community? Are we just a big club, where 'we're just members of a system that has rules that make us feel comfortable', a group of people who like the niceness, and trust, and good moral values that come from being a Christian? True believers and followers of Jesus should be more than just a good strong community. It's gotta be more. No-one can have a real encounter with the son of God and walk away from it unchanged.
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