The big day is almost here and for weeks we’ve been seeing signs of the Christmas spirit bursting out across the district.
Over the past month dozens of work Christmas parties in local pubs and clubs, road parties in fire sheds and village halls, and even a street party with a concert on top have seen people come together to celebrate.
There are window displays, Christmas lights in town and out, special menus, Christmas music in the main street and the man in red has made several appearances, including at the Christmas Races at Coonamble Racecourse on Sunday 17 December.
The Rotary Club’s Christmas Lights competition was judged over three nights in Coonamble, Quambone and Gulargambone.
In Gulargambone Matt and Tasha Banks took out first prize with Pauline Hammond second and a highly commended to Maz Irwin.
In Quambone Janine Swindle took top honours, with The Quambone Store in second, and Bennett’s earning a highly commended.
If you’re looking for lights around town, judges have recommended Broughton Street, Townsend Street, and McCullough Street in Coonamble as the spots to head too.
Judge Emily Ryan says this year’s competition was “tight”.
“It was extremely close, especially in Coonamble,” said Ms Ryan.
“There were lots of high quality lights, we’re impressed and thankful for everyone who had a go.”
“The inflatables seemed to be the biggest trend this year, lots of people investing in giant Santas, reindeers, and nutcrackers.”
Coonamble Shire Council sponsored first prize this year, with the winning displays in each town receiving $250 dollars each.
Second place received $100 dollars, and the highly commended $50 dollars as well.
The Coonamble competition was again captured by Steven and Wanitta Glover, with Justin and Sarah Davis just behind and Shane and Mel Smith snaring a highly commended.
Sunday also saw the Coonamble Christmas Carols at St Barnabas Anglican Church with over thirty people coming out on a very warm evening to share the joy in song and enjoy a barbeque in the church grounds afterwards.
The Council’s nativity scene is on display in Coonamble’s main street and this week a new version has appeared in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church in Tooloon Street.
On Monday Father Thao Nguyen and St Brigids’ General Assistant Brian Ditchfield, with the help of Gary Wooding’s cherry picker, could be seen decorating the church’s exterior with tinsel and lights.
Inside, Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men and their animals await the arrival of the Son of God.
Their ‘stable’ is three metres wide by two metres deep and 2.5 metres high constructed by parishioner Kent Morley to Fr Thao’s own design.
“I built it in my carport so it could be moved,” Mr Morley said. “It came over in a flat pack on the back of my ute.”
The nativity scene was erected inside the church with the help of Brendan and Gerard Morley, Fr Thao and visiting Seminarian Dai Pham.
Kent also supplied the hay and some of his wife Barbara’s old curtains but the painted plaster figures in the scene reputedly hail from Italy, donated to the parish many years ago.
The ‘stable’ and the church altar have been adorned with a swathe of lights donated by another parishioner.
“We have come to that time of the year when it’s all happening,” Fr Thao told the Coonamble Times. “A lot is going on, schools are finishing, holidays are being planned, and the almighty Christmas shopping has begun.
“We even hear people say they’re already exhausted from the entire craze and can’t wait to see Christmas over.”
Fr Thao jokes that he may need to employ someone to manage his social calendar, he has attended so many parties and events this season.
“If we’re not careful we can sometimes feel caught up in the commercialisation of Christmas – we lose the reason for the season.”
He says we shouldn’t let the season of Advent, the four weeks in the Christian calendar leading up to Christ’s birth, be overshadowed by the busyness of our lives.
“There is always the gift of giving, but the most important gift is the birth of Jesus himself,” Fr Thao said.
“The message of Advent is one of hope and expectation, aware of the first coming of Jesus in a humble way 2000 years ago and his Second coming at the end of time.
“Advent gives us the time to do that. But we have to be intentional.”
Fr Thao suggests an intentional stopping and slowing down; attending services at your local church or joining in the church Advent program; seeking peace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or “actually listening to Christmas carols and hearing the words anew, and letting that change your heart.”
“If we intentionally do these, we will be able to celebrate Christmas for what it is: the coming of Christ once again into our lives,” says Fr Thao.
Christians from many backgrounds use the time of Advent to reflect on hope, peace, love, and joy.
Regardless of your religious affiliation it doesn’t seem a bad way to wind down our year.