Tag: family

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Life

Christmas Traditions Around the World: Celebrating the Season of Joy


As the Christmas season approaches, people all over the world gear up to celebrate in their own unique ways. From centuries-old customs to modern-day rituals, Christmas traditions vary from country to country, reflecting various cultures and beliefs. So, just what do some of these countries do to celebrate family and the birth of Jesus?

Germany: Christkindlmarkt
In Germany, the festive season is synonymous with Christkindlmarkt, enchanting Christmas markets that pop up in towns and cities. These markets are adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and wooden stalls selling various delights, including gingerbread cookies, mulled wine, and handcrafted trinkets.

Mexico: Las Posadas
Las Posadas, a cherished Mexican tradition, reenacts Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. For nine consecutive nights leading up to Christmas Eve, families gather, praying and singing carols, while children don costumes and go door-to-door, asking for shelter. The night concludes with a festive feast, piñatas, and fireworks.

Philippines: Simbang Gabi
In this predominantly Catholic nation, the Simbang Gabi, or “Night Mass,” is a beloved Christmas tradition. Devotees wake up before dawn to attend nine dawn masses, which culminate with the Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve. After the mass, families indulge in festive feasts filled with native delicacies like bibingka and puto bumbong.

Singapore: Christmas Lights

During the festive season, Singapore comes alive with mesmerising Christmas lights that adorn the city streets. The iconic shopping belt on Orchard Road showcases an array of stunning light displays, with sparkly decorations adorning the trees and illuminating the facades of various buildings. Walking down this stretch feels like stepping into a fairytale as the vibrant colours and intricate designs create a truly enchanting atmosphere.

Christmas truly connects people around the world through the joyous spirit it brings. From markets and carols to prayers and feasts, each tradition reflects the cultural richness and community bonds that make this holiday so special. While I didn’t go through all the traditional celebrations, what’s most important is connecting with your family and with God as we celebrate and focus on the joyous parts of life – community!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Podcast

What Kind of Man.. Men..?

Last time in my CGSP First Book Journey Podcast, I shared about one side of the kidnapping story. NEXT WEEK, I’ll be going over who the loved ones are that were left behind. They’re important to the story too, so who are they?

Before it comes out next week, check out PART ONE with some of the other characters
>>> here

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

SENSE OF HUMOUR | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (SIXTY-FOUR)

Hannah Carmichael is a Super Spy, who was trying to take down CGT – the evil spy agency of which she used to be a part of. Her husband Zeke, was secretly working to take them down as well, and roped Hannah and her fellow agent (and best friend) Stephanie, into the fight. 
Hannah’s mother Evelyn was a known terrorist and CGT enemy, but now seems to have been on the same side all along. Her Father James, was believed to be dead and missing for over a decade, but has now shown up from his fight in the shadows to help take them down once and for all.
Hannah woke up without her memory, and is now relying on her family to help find her way back and stop CGT.
With a World War III event called ‘Cataclysm’ on the horizon, and Hannah trying to fight, and regain her memories, what will she and her team find out, and how will they stop CGT? 

SIXTY-FOUR

Sirens screamed through the street and Hannah whipped around, as agents from almost every department of the government aimed their weapons at the shooter. He stood in the middle of a human circle and Hannah tried to peek her head above the sea of black and grey suits. She turned to Zeke, defeated and shook her head, her own weapon by her side. “I can’t see who it is, but I think he’s surrounded.” She smiled and Zeke rolled his eyes. 

“At least you didn’t forget your sense of humour. We need a better vantage point,” he said, nodding towards the stage and walking towards the higher ground. 

After twenty minutes of static, James Carmichael’s voice finally came through their comms system. “Attack on the European and Russia area has been neutralised. Status of the Middle East?” 

“We’ve run into a small snag, report to come soon!” Stephanie Winchester replied in a frantic voice. 

Hannah stopped walking as a memory flashed through her brain. Driving in the jungle in the back of a Ute, with the woman called Stephanie yelling at the driver. She pulled out a big gun and began shooting at another truck which was following them. Hannah shook her head and pushed the memory away, moving forward towards the stage where Zeke was already climbing the steps. 

“Why did CGT send a shooter? They already had the attacks planned,” she asked as he climbed up the final step. “They’re scrambling for Plan B, just in case,” Zeke replied. 

Gunshots from the middle of the human circle sent shockwaves through the area. Shouts from agents, and shooting into the circle from behind SWAT shields erupted. Bullet casings flew into the air and Hannah moved closer to the makeshift stage. Zeke aimed his gun in the direction of the shooter, his face suddenly white. 

As Hannah reached the higher vantage point, she looked into the middle of the circle where blood soaked through the shirt of the shooter. He lay motionless, his face familiar, but Hannah couldn’t place it. 

“We have to get out of here,” Zeke said, his voice shaking as he swallowed hard. 

“Why, who is it?” Hannah let him pull her hand down the stairs, and they ran towards their car, slamming the doors and flying out of the parking lot. 

Hannah reached up, pressing the transmit button on her inner ear communications. “Shooter at the Peace Talks is neutralised, on our way back to The Palace.” Hannah exhaled and closed her eyes. “Who was that Zeke?” She opened her eyes again and looked over at the man who was her husband. “Your face went dead white when you saw him.” 

Zeke sat silently for a minute, then shifted in his seat. “That was my boss.” 

“What do you mean your boss? At the Defence Strategic Policy-“

“Yes. It was my boss. It was Oliver.”

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

That’s Christmas To Me

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Christmas. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can’t avoid it come December. It’s everywhere with the Nativity, Santa, Reindeer, Mistletoe, Tinsel, Trees, Lights, Crowds, Shopping until your feet swell, Stress, Family disasters, and on and on it goes!

Christmas can be stressful, it can be fun, it can be sad, and it can be full of joy.

Whatever YOUR Christmas experience may be, there are a few things which you can be certain are being celebrated and considered each and every year at Christmas time.

  1. Being with your crazy, annoying, loud, obnoxious family that you love (usually) to bits
  2. Gifts are given and accepted with those you love, work with, and sometimes smile at, but secretly plan their murder in your mind
  3. Santa Clause and his elves/reindeer
  4. The birth of Jesus Christ

If you celebrate any, or all, of the above – congrats, That’s Christmas To YOU. I sent out a post last week about Santa, but this time, I want to focus on another part of Christmas…

Christmas carries with it, the message of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy.
It isn’t always like that for everyone – some people don’t have any family, some don’t have a place to go, or food to eat, and some are struggling with some real life grown up issues.

But, this is the time of year to celebrate something bigger than your struggles; bigger than your annoying family, bigger than that mountain of debt, bigger than finding that perfect gift or turkey.

Some say it’s the true meaning of Christmas, but I guess that depends on where you stand on this particular topic (personally, i’m the first group). Christmas is celebrating a baby being born, in someones backyard, with all their animals, and no money.

We all know the nativity scene – it’s part of the standard decorations which go up outside and inside houses all over. Baby in a little feeding trough, parents, wise men, shepherds, angels, and animals. But there was a real story, a real moment in time – it shouldn’t just be something we look at and forget come December 26th. Even if it’s just remembering what it stands for.

I hope as you all go through this Christmas season, you remember that everyone has the potential for Hope, Joy, Peace and LOVE; because that’s the real meaning to the season – Loving each other. Loving that person you see on the street who doesn’t have a home this Christmas, or that neighbour you’re feuding with over the tree which hangs over your side of the fence; maybe it’s that cousin who rubs you the wrong way, or that boss who is horrible to you every year.

Even through our loss, our hurt, our desperate situation – this is the time when we should be looking out for each other and showing our humanity and compassion.
So, I’m looking towards a better year, a better me, and a better world – because I know it’s possible; all thanks to that baby, born in someone’s backyard, with all their animals, and no money.

Merry Christmas, Blessings to all!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace