Women’s Christmas

Hi to you all !

It is January 5 2008 .The Holidays end is near and things are slowly returning back to normal .Most of us are back to work , back to normal daily routine .The weather here however is something else .One day we are freezing – 20C ,with snow coming out of everywhere – then we have like today .It is plus 2 degrees C and by tomorrow going to plus 12C.It is almost impossible to know what one should get ready for tomorrow to wear .Anyway it gives us something to talk about .

Yesterday in Ireland Noreen’s sister had a little celebration it is called Women’s Christmas . She had a house full of her women friend to celebrate Women’s Christmas .To those of us that are not familiar with that – here is a little write up about it .

It is also not known as Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas), so called because of the tradition (still very strong in Cork, though only just surviving in the rest of the country) of Irish men taking on all the household duties on that day and giving their spouses a day off. Most women will either hold parties or go out to celebrate the day with their friends, sisters, mothers, aunts etc. Bars and restaurants have a near 100 percent female clientele on this night. Children often buy presents for their mothers and grandmothers, and it closely resembles Mother’s Day in this respect.

While originally a rural tradition, in recent years, Nollaig na mBan is enjoying something of a revival, both in urban areas in Ireland and Britain, as well as in emigrant communities in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. For the Irish Women’s Network of BC , Canada, for example, this event is the highlight of their social calendar.

As you know this year is the Christmas that some of our dear relatives and Friends are away from us . This morning my wife Noreen showed me a beautiful poem that I wish to share with you .

My First Christmas in Heaven.

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world bellow,

with tiny lights like heaven’s stars , reflecting on the snow .

The sight is so spectacular , please wipe away the tear,

for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

but the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir here .

I have no words to tell you , the joy their voices bring,

for its beyond description to hear the angels sing .

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your hearth,

but I am not so far away , we really are not apart .

So be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear ,

and be glad that I am spending Christmas wit Jesus Christ this year.

I sen you each a special gift ,from my heavenly home above ,

I send you each a memory of my undying love .

After all , Love is a gift , more precious than pure gold,

it was most important in the stories Jesus told .

Please Love and keep each other , as my father said to do ,

for I can’t count the Love or blessings he has for each of you.

So have a merry Christmas and wipe away the tear ,

remember ,I am spending Christmas here with Jesus Christ .
It is a great poem and I only wish that I could write myself .Unfortunately I do not know the author .Anyway for the last time and until the next time –Merry Little Women’s Christmas and A successful New Year from myself I my darling Noreen.