At one time, the occasion for any celebration here was marked with a ceilidh. Normally a ceilidh is just a visit - not a party, except on those special occasions when there was to be a wedding or some other special event, but under the influence of the mainland and TV the ceilidh has become a much bigger, more active event. It usually involves drink and food (at one time, the church here banned the drinking of tea and preferred people to drink alcohol, tea being "the devil's brew"). Now we have children's parties as well which are similar to children's parties all over the place. However, the church does not condone ceilidhs, especially not at Christmas. Church events are somber, the favourite one being Easter when everyone can mourn as they commemorate the death of Christ. Here funerals are a favoured pass-time - everyone enjoys a good funeral. Even the wakes are somber, unlike the famed Irish wakes.
This, of course, has all changed this year. No wakes, or chances to enjoy a good funeral, no ceilidhs, no children's parties. The schools, these days, do acknowledge Christmas and use it for story-telling and craft opportunities. But it is not so long ago that a certain highland headmaster caused a huge row because he would not allow a Christmas tree or decorations in his school - these things were pagan, after all.
Christmas is becoming a children's festival, pure and simple, here, as it is on other parts of the world. The church really doesn't take much notice of it. In past years we have seen some attempt at lighting up the centre of Stornoway for Christmas - not sure what will happen this year. Some houses put up Christmas lights, but not very many really. That, I'm sure will happen again this year.
It's all a bit grim, really, compared to the southern Christmases I grew up with. But, at least, the purpose of the festival is acknowledged, whereas it is forgotten in many other places. At least Em, and her classmates, are aware of what Christmas is about.