One of my favourite Christmas traditions is watching the Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve. It doesn't matter what else is happening ... the Carols are always on in the background. And Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas without the Carols. That was one of the things I missed most when spending Christmas overseas. It's such an Aussie tradition. I guess we have the climate for it, so it makes sense. You'd hardly fill Hyde Park with Londoners on Christmas Eve and have them singing along to Christmas carols ... they'd all freeze. It's a shame though ... it's a beautiful tradition.
Without meaning to enter the time old Sydney v Melbourne debate, I have to say that the Sydney Carols just don't compare to the Melbourne ones. I watched the Carols in the Domain on Saturday night as well, and started to question my love of these events. The Sydney attempt just seems so commercial! It's all about who they can get on stage, who pays for it to happen and what it will mean for their ratings. It felt fake, and didn't at all have the same Christmas spirit. The Melbourne ones are about the tradition, they're for the audience, they're about singing and celebrating together. Performers are chosen based on their singing ability, and not how familiar or popular they are. Instead of the commercial feel, it's about giving. There's no mention of sponsors - just a few "supporters" - and it's about raising money for charity.
I nearly went out tonight, and I'm so glad I didn't. Christmas Eve needs to be spent watching - or at least listening to - the Carols by Candlelight. Perfect prelude to the celebrations tomorrow. Only way to beat it would be to be sitting in the audience in Melbourne! One year I'll make it. Merry Christmas everyone! Smile lots and have a lovely day.