Celebrating Christmas with Two Australian Icons: Michael Leunig and Phillip Adams

Christmas

by Michael Leunig

I see a twinkle in your eye, so this shall be my Christmas star
and I will travel to your heart: the manger where the real things are.

And I will find a mother there who holds you gently to her breast,

a father to protect your peace, and by these things you shall be blessed.

And you will always be reborn and I will always see the star

and make the journey to your heart: the manger where the real things are.

From Poems, 1972-2001

Michael Leunig

Bush Christmas with butterflies and child

by Michael Leunig

From The AGE

December 24, 2011

Illustration by Michael Leunig, Christmas 2011, The AGE

Christmas comes to urban Australia and up go the decorations – the holly and reindeer motifs, the sleighs, the Santas and snowflakes – the same old incongruous wintry symbols, reminding Australians that their summer is well under way and the year is fading fast. The lives of little pine trees are cut short and hung with baubles.

Electric fairy lights wink like shopkeepers’ eyes in dark suburban streets. Buskers wearing plastic reindeer horns murder carols in the street; mournfully hitting the wrong notes of Christmas on tarnished trumpets and creaking violins; a fitting soundtrack for the work of mental health professionals and police who are busy attending to the upsurging emotions and woes that come with the season of joy.

Mysterious sad yearning and loneliness emerge out of nowhere to alight on the unsuspecting, mingling with goodwill, alcohol and hope as the weariness and eeriness of the year pull at the heartstrings or loosen the purse strings.