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Recenty there has been a discussion on Christmas. For some it means the commeration of the birth of Jesus. For others it is a time of family reunion, holiday and presents.

I can remember many Happy Christmases but also some sad onces. When I was young Christmas was the time of parties and presents. I remember the presents were plentiful until about the age of seven. Members of the extended family also visit us so there was a kind of family reunion.

However as we became older, presents diminished and we saw fewer of our family. We still had a Christmas lunch of Roast Beef. However it was only for my parents and us twin children. We could only visit my brother's family after lunch. We arrive at their house after all the main celebrations were over. Our presents were almost an after thought because most had been open by then.

We still went on holidays.We started going camping but soon perfer hotels and guest houses. Most of our trips were in Australia but a few overseas. As I became more religious we attended Church at Christmas sometimes at midnight. It was exciting being present in the pack out church with incence ,candles and carols. We started having a Christmas tree and just to show we were Christian, a Nativity scene.One year we had the saddest Christmas when my mother died. This could have has made later Christmases sad as I was alone at Christmas. This is one reson why some dread Christmas as they are alone .

Now I am married and spend Christmas in a new culture. We sometimes go the Philippines, my wife's country. Here we have celebrations with a large extended family. This includes presents but no Christmas tree or nativity scene as my nearestt relatives do not beleive in them.

Yet no motter what the customs, Christmas can be good if we concentrate on what we have and not just on what we want. No matter our religioni we still share in the joy of peace and goodwill towards men.

Santa mailbox

The winds of change  are blowing throughout the world. After the election of Kevin Rudd a new type Labor Prime Minister we now have the first black President in the USA history.

Australia has already seen some moving in reacial relations with the apolgy to the stolen generation. We still have not had an aboriginal Prime Minister yet  but we have had several cabinet ministers. Obamas win  could transform AMERICAN RACIAL RELATIONS. FROM SLAVERY TO PRESIDENT IS A GREAT STEP. FROM MARTIN lUTHER KING, I HAVE A DREAM, SPEECH FOURTY YEARS AGO IS A GREAT ACHIEVMENT.

Australia's relationship with the USA should improved. While Obama is not as far to the left as  many in the Australian Labor  party he will share a lot in common with Kevin Rudd who is a fairly conservative labor leader.

Most countries expect to enter into a recession this year. Economists define a recession as a fall in GDP over two quarters. Both Japan and the Euo area are in dscline. Many economists expect to see a decline in these countries in the present quarter.

Australia's GDP has not fallen yet but some economists said it could fall over the next two quarters. Inflation looks like reaching its peak in the second half of this year. Rick Battelino of the Reserve Bank said while Australia is on track to avoid a recession, just as it did in 2001, it was difficult to forcast the economic impact of the crisis. China's economy has slowed but it is still expected to grow by 8% next year. This should avoid a recession here but there will be a slowdown in the boom. To most people a recession involes a  steep rise in unemployment. In the Great Depression unemployment rose from 12% in 1929 to 37.8% in 1931 in Austraia, This was the second highest in the world.

Unemployment is very low 4% so a steep rise is unlikly. Wayne Swan has forecast that unemployment will rise to 5% next financial year. although they latest figures show no fall. He still thinks Growth will be 2% which is in contrast to the fall forcast by most other countries. Australia's budget surplus will be reduced to $3.6b but this is also better than most other countries. Whether Australia enters a  technical recession is academic but it is important that unemployment does not rise to double figures.