on the first day of christmas

I was blind but now I see For many many years, to me, Jesus was an icon. And a piece of jewellery around my neck. And a person I vaguely remember hearing about in boring scripture class. I had known him from a very young age. For many many years, this song was much like Jesus. It was dull, boring, instilling in me nothing but yawns. And like him, I knew this song from when I was very young. From memory we sang it in infants at this time of the year. But then at about 26 someone asked me one question that changed everything. She asked, “Who do you think Jesus is?” My instinct was aggressive. I thought, “Who does she think she is? Doesn’t she know who’s she talking to?” I quickly recalled those many many times I had been to church, done my cross, been a good little Grik boy. Yet my answer was, “I don’t know…” Now that was odd. I had known him since I was very little. But in that millisecond I realised I hadn’t known him at all. Her question echoed...

My favourite songs tell a story. And Kelly is a masterful storyteller. He sets his song in an Australian summer. The video too is native to our shores. The old metal clothesline is sublime. For too long we’ve been inundated with snow and winter references at Christmas. But Kelly sings of it being… A hundred degrees, maybe more, But that won’t stop the roast Yep, that’s us Aussies. It’s stinking hot and we make it hotter. The gravy is rough and ready… Just add flour, salt, a little red wine And don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang Who makes gravy like this? Ah, who cares, it’ll do. Christmas is meant to be a simple affair. And us Aussies are simple folk. “Gravy” is great because it’s an apology. Christmas can be that time to make sure others hear about your grudges. But this man wants others to know he’s sorry. He confesses… Tell 'em all I'm sorry I screwed up this time He’s not just sorry. He’...

Not hopeless but hope-full. Bono is many things. And one of those is the most hopeful man on the planet. Ever since he and three of his mates strutted their stuff across the world’s stage, he’s been determined to change it. Sure, not much seems to have changed. But you’ve got to hand it to him. The man has hope. Yet as he opens this song, you wonder if he’s given up… Sick of sorrow, I’m sick of the pain I'm sick of hearing, again and again That there's gonna be peace on Earth At times during the song it feels like Bono can’t hit the necessary notes. Whilst he’d admit that’s a daily occurrence, on this song it’s as if… Jesus in the song you wrote The words are sticking in my throat Can he keep declaring there will be peace on earth? Can he hang onto hope? A younger Bono would’ve provided the answer. He would’ve stopped the show to tell us THE ANSWER whilst we all wished he’d just get on with the show. So, older and wiser he turns it ov...

Some of the best things in life are simple. And this song is simple. The words, the tune; it’s fun to play, fun to sing. It’s simply fun. But even simple things can be profound… Christmas is coming so don’t buy me anything What do you mean! Christmas is all about buying anything and everything. What on earth would cause the author to suggest not buying something? Unsurprisingly, someone… Christmas is coming, so don’t buy me anything, I’ve got what I needed, I’ve got what I wanted It’s you… Awwwww... Whilst this is sugary sickly sweet, it’s simply true. And you know it’s true. So, don’t spend heaps of money. Spend heaps of time with people. Don’t whinge and moan when standing in a queue. Start a conversation. Do your Christmas shopping at Vinnies or the Salvos. Don’t spoil your kids. Show them love. Give them time. Studies declare they value time over things. But not just kids. We all do. So keep it simple. I hope you ...