It’s Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas!

Christmas at McMurdo is anything but glitzy.  Actually, it’s rather drab. 

But, in my opinion, that’s quite all right.  The hype, hysteria, and neurotic busyness that define Christmas in most of the world are not something people miss here. Whatever shopping you can do can be done in about 15 minutes.  I probably do twice that much at home. 

There’s no running down to the hardware store for lighted Santas and animated rain deer.  What you do is pull out a dusty fake Christmas tree from dusty old box and see if you can find some tinsel and ornaments that may or may not work well together;  all from the odd assortment left over from previous years. 

  

Whatever you don’t have, you make…out of whatever you can find.  We don’t wait until the last minute to decorate, either.  Some people start as much as a week ahead.  Christmas Eve is a workday, but for this occasion most people get both Saturday and Sunday off.  That is a special treat and the weekend is planned.  There’s something to be said for this kind of Christmas.  People get together and contribute whatever their talent is, for the benefit of the whole community. 

The season, more or less kicks off with the Women’s Soiree, a variety show performed by women, held in the Galley, and attended by a large part of the community.  Here’s where women trade in their Carhartt overalls for dresses and heels.  As we say back home, “they clean up pretty good.”

Tonight the carolers were heard at dinner time in the Galley and A Charlie Brown Christmas was performed on its second showing in the Chapel. 



Good Grief!

 

The Cast Takes a Bow



  Parties large and small are planned for Christmas Eve, and much of the community will meet in the Chapel for a celebration of the Nativity, with carols and a choir anthem.  Midnight Mass will be celebrated, assuming the weather clears, and Father Pat can get back from the South Pole in time. Sunday will be the second day of Christmas with individual Catholic and Protestant worship services.

Actually, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas;  a little more humble than it does back home, but a lot like Christmas none-the-less.  I'm going to like our McMurdo Christmas.  I wish you could be here.