Christmas Transcript

S1           Happy Christmas. Christmas is a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. You probably know the story how Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem but couldn't find anywhere to stay, so they ended up in a stable where Jesus was born and laid in a manger. They were visited by shepherds and wise men from the east, who brought presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And giving presents is something we still do today. But Christmas isn't just for Christians. It happens just after the winter solstice, when the nights are at their longest, and it's always been a time for families to gather together for warmth, to enjoy good food, and to hope for the return of light and life to the world.

S2           Christmas is like a celebration of love and warmth, you know? It's a time where even when it's cold, you still feel a lot of warmth from those closest to you.

S3           Christmas isn't just the one day. As such, it's a period over sort of across December, up leading up to Christmas Day, where you have decorations and a tree that you place presents under for your loved ones, and the actual day is then marked by the unwrapping of the presents and the sharing of gifts and love. And then you kind of finish it off, I guess, with eating a nice meal together.

S4           It's a time that you're kind, jolly, I'd say even.

S5           I would say it's the most magical time of the year. It's very festive and it's a time when you just feel belonging.

S6           I think it's a time where people reflect on the people who need help the most. And I think it's a time where people really need support and help, the sense of belonging as well, because it's when families come together. It's when people kind of have this sense of catching up with the people that mean the most to them at that time.

S2           It's obviously a time of celebration. I'm a Christian. I also feel like it's a time to really connect with your family. You know, obviously, because the day that Jesus was born, I believe that, you know, Christmas is all about togetherness. Looking after others, especially those that are less fortunate, you know, giving back to charity, making sure that we're all looking out for each other in this time of need.

S7           I think it means like a hell of a lot of time, like family time when everyone comes together. I think it's a lot of connection for everyone to get together.

S8           Spending time with friends and family, literally. That's like the main thing.

S5           Christmas to me is all about family. I feel like we're always busy going to school, going to work. It's the only time of year that we can spend with our family. So that's what's sentimental to me.

S4           I believe it was the birth of Jesus Christ. So that's still the original meaning for me. And, uh, people just think it's Santa Clause riding around on the sleigh, bringing them presents.

S9           The best Christmas present. When I was with my family.

S2           We tried to assemble the tree together. we like to delegate certain parts of building the tree to each other. Just so it's like us as a family. We're all building the tree, decorating the house, getting the house and the decorations ready for Christmas.

S7           We all just get together and just have a big wild bash and just enjoy it. Get the mistletoe out.

S3           We do unwrapping of presents in the morning. We will play Christmas music while we're doing it.

S4           Yeah, we have a Christmas dinner. Like a turkey or a family gathering. We'd go out and see my grandparents and just all spend the time together.

S5           We all get together and we all bring a dish and we all just celebrate at one of our houses.

S8           We do like, have a nice dinner. I'm not Christian. I don't celebrate Christmas religiously, but we still keep the warm tradition going.

S6           I grew up a Catholic in Ireland, so I think it is always seen as traditionally a religious event. Even if you don't go to church regularly.

S2           It's quite interlinked. So I'm obviously constantly reminded that Christmas is a joyous time. I'm able to give thanks that, you know, I've seen another year. I'm able to give rather than receive. And that's me trying to be Christ like and give back the same way that Jesus did as well.

S7           No, I believe everyone should just stick together. Don't believe in anything like that. No, I think everyone should stick together. The love is the love and that's that.

S8           As part of my religion, I do a charity. So we go around for around December. Every Saturday weekend we do, um, soup kitchen. I like Christmas very much. I have nothing against it. It's like it's probably the favourite times of year for me.

S6           If I could give a gift to anyone at Christmas, it would be peace of mind and a self, a belonging for everyone.

S7           My love, my love and my heart and my happiness.

S8           I'd say especially right now. Peace. Definitely. Like everyone needs a bit of peace. Everyone needs to be a bit more calm now.

S2           The world is missing a lot of love, a lot of kindness right now. So I think it's imperative that we just love each other to the greatest extent, no matter what.

S5           To the world I would give love. There's some people who just don't have a special Christmas, so I would give love to everybody.