G'day from "vegemiterules"

I am sitting here organising my "blog" and listening to Christmas Carols, when this popped into my mind. Every year here in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, we have "Carols by Candlelight" at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The crowds have grown since its inception back in 1937 when it was broadcast over the "wireless" as it was known back then and has grown into an icon in the Australian way of life.

The inspiration for Carols by Candlelight was borne one Christmas Eve in 1937, as radio veteran, the late Norman Banks MBE, strolled along historic St Kilda Road in Melbourne after a late-night radio shift. As he walked, he noticed an elderly woman sitting up in bed by her window, her face lit only by a candle.. She had a radio beside her and was singing along to the Christmas carol, 'Away in a Manger'. It was at this moment that Banks was inspired to create the first gathering of people to sing carol by candlelight.

Norman Banks once said that this image had given him "…an idea of what Christmas was all about…I was enthralled. I thought, if one old lady could do that, what about 1,000 people…". His mission was to unify the community by sharing in the joy of Christmas in a simple, yet meaningful way. His answer to this was to invite Melbournians to gather in the city's gardens to hold candles and sing along to traditional Christmas carols. In 1938, 10,000 people gathered at midnight in the Alexandra Gardens to sing carols with a 30-strong choir, two soloists and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Band. The unusual candle-lit setting, and the beauty of the carols, instantly won the affection of the large assembly. A new Christmas tradition was born.

The candles lit in 1938 have burned through prosperous and troubled times, to become a tradition not only in the city of Melbourne, but to an entire nation. The crowds that attend the annual Carols by Candlelight are 120,000 plus. I would not have any hesitation in saying, that on Christmas eve, the majority of TVs in Australia are tuned into Channel 9, to enjoy and sing along with Carols by Candlelight. The families gather around the TV, even if they are not really watching, wrapping presents, putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree, cooking delicious little delights for the following day, joining in the singing of the Carols, talking to their young ones and explaining what Christmas is about, while on the TV, the cameras roam the crowds, occasionally focusing on a young baby alseep in their parents arms, or a toddler standing so that he/she can see, with a lit candle in his little hand, eyes wide open filled with wonder and expectation. Families/friends with blankets spread, nibbles to hand, carol books in the ready, to join in with one voice and sing. It is a sight to behold, approx 120,000 people, with candles burning and hearts filled with joy, singing Christmas carols and soaking up the experience.

I Love Christmas Eve in Melbourne xoxooxoox - It seriously "rocks"

Merry Christmas everybody!!!!!!!!!!!