Celebrating Earth at Christmas

Sally Gillespie

Every moment of our lives and our children’s lives are gifted to us by Earth. For many thousands of years traditional cultures have had seasonal celebrations to give thanks to Earth, never forgetting that our lives depend on Earth’s daily, monthly and annual cycles.

In Europe, Christmas coincides with the Winter Solstice when the days are shortest and the nights are longest. Traditionally this time was associated with the story of the Earth Goddess giving birth to the Divine Sun child. Winter Solstice festivities around hearth fires gave thanks for the return of the light that would bear the gift of new crops and new life.

Here in Australia, Christmas coincides with the Summer Solstice, when days are long and nights are short. Traditionally Summer Solstice is associated with the splendour of the sun and the abundance of Earth’s gifts. One earthy cycle of growth is completed and celebrated before the hard work of harvest is begun.

Sadly, Earth-based festivities honouring the natural cycles of life have been pushed aside in modern societies. Instead of giving thanks to Earth, Christmas for many has become a season of consumer pressure and excess. This meaningless ritual can leave a bitter aftertaste driven by feelings of emptiness and debt. The opportunity to celebrate what is most important in life is missed.

One of the best ways to come back to the spirit of the traditional Midsummer festival is to express gratitude to Earth at Christmas. When you acknowledge and thank Earth in your festivities you gift a better future to all the young people in your lives. Given the anxiety so many young people feel about ecological degradations and climate disruption, making Christmas a time of cherishing Earth will speak volumes about leading a good life on Earth.

Here are 10 ways to give to Earth this Christmas;

Give a family present to Earth this Christmas to say thank you for life. Plant a native tree in a protected biodiverse forest, adopt a koala , become a Sea Guardian.
Create Nature-based Christmas decorations out of foraged seed pods, leaves, flowers, fruits and nuts.
Make your Christmas tree a potted plant to treasure all year.
Make a Christmas feast out of organic, plant-based and sustainable foods, including seafoods. Give thanks to Earth, the farmers and the cooks before you start eating.
Grow seedlings to give away. Then there is joy in the planting together.
Gift experiences that foster Earth connection like a visit to the zoo or musem, or a special animal encounter at a wildlife park.
Make yummy gifts from local seasonable produce- jams, pickles, pestos- or buy them from the local farmers’ market.
Treasure hunt at charity shops, markets and antiques shops for unique pre-loved gifts.
Have fun creating recycled and recyclable giftwrapping using hand decorated paper, boxes and fabric scraps.
Plant a flower garden to feed the bees, make an insect hotel or set up a worm farm at home over the holidays