2020 has been an unprecedented, and for many the end of the year will come with welcome relief and a certain amount of trepidation for what 2021 may hold. The global epidemic has changed our lives in so many ways, separated many of us from our family, friends and daily lives, and made us relearn many of our normal routines. For many this Christmas will be unusual, with restrictions on travel and limits on gatherings.
It is still, however, Christmas, and no matter how we celebrate this year there are still many Christmas traditions we will still follow. I feel fortunate indeed that after the challenges and uncertainty of the year, here in Victoria, Australia we have our lives running fairly close to normal.
For me, Christmas means that the tree is up - in fact it has been put up several times thanks to the enthusiasm of my cat who sees the Christmas Tree as his own personal climbing gym - and the house is decorated. The fridge is full, the presents wrapped, cards sent and received. Work is about to shut down until New Year, a lovely week of leave.
Tonight, my sister and I will continue the annual tradition of watching The Muppet Christmas Carol. It is a tradition that we have had since I was a child and we watched it one Christmas on TV. Much searching from my mother produced a video of the Carol and even as teenagers the tradition of watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" on Christmas Eve prevailed. It continued as we became adults and spent Christmas with our parents, was tolerated by baffled partners and friends, and after our parents passed was continued by my sister and I.
Starring the brilliant Michael Caine, so shiningly evil as Scrooge before he finds the spirit of Christmas, he seamlessly interacts with his Muppet costars. Kermit is a perfect as the kindly, patient Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as his feisty wife Emily, Statler and Waldorf are the evil Marleys, cackling gleefully about evicting children from orphanages. And Gonzo shines as the 'omniscient narrator', a blue furry Charles Dickens with his sidekick Rizzo the Rat who cheerfully states he is here for the food.
We both pretty much know the film by heart. We've watched it every Christmas Eve since we were young children. We will happily settle in to recite lines, sing the songs, munch mince pies and thoroughly enjoy our evening. This is our Christmas.
Whatever your traditions and however you celebrate the end of 2020, I hope everyone out there enjoys the festive season and I look forward to 2021. Merry Christmas!
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