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In the spirit of Christmas, I would like to share with you a song about a tiny Island speck on a map of the Indian Ocean which lays some 2,600 kilometers north-west of my hometown Perth, Western Australia.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 1 - student project

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 2 - student project

Christmas Island By: Lyle Moraine (1946) (USA)

Let's get away from sleigh bells, let's get away from snow,

Let's make a break from Christmas dear, I know the place to go. How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?

How'd ja like to spend the Holiday away across the sea?

How'd ja like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?

How'd ja like to hang your stockin' on a great big coconut tree?

How'd ja like to stay up late like the detainees do,

Wait for Santa to sail in with your presents in a canoe?

If you ever spend Christmas on Christmas Island,

You will never stray, for ev'ry day you will ask can your Christmas dreams come true?

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 3 - student project

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 4 - student project

For those of you who are not yet au fait, the beautiful Christmas Island (a territory of Australia), is the sole peak of an underwater mountain range to rise above the ocean's surface.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 5 - student project

It is one of nature’s most impressive feats, full of natural wonders; from the unique annual red crab migration to rare and unusual birds and glorious deserted beaches where the only footprints in the sand are those made by nesting turtles.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 6 - student project

With an abundance of endemic species, it is commonly referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, yet it also displays a curious amalgam of cultures, history and industry, emerging as a place where all these elements create a truly unusual travel experience – in more ways than one.

Idyllic Paradise?

The bird depicted in the image below, clutching a gift with wings spread wide open could suggest the symbolism of hospitality, warm welcome, freedom and benevolence. It’s certainly the most obvious sentiment one would associate with visiting a beautiful Island or is it?

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 7 - student project

In the Middle-East and Asia birds are symbols of immortality and in Christian art, birds are often depicted as saved souls. However, this may not the case for all that make it to Xmas Island.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 8 - student project

In sharp contrast, this natural beauty is belied by ugliness rising up in what has become the epicenter of Australia’s controversial mandatory immigration-detention policy.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 9 - student project

Christmas Island immigration detention centre is a concrete and metal scar in the midst of a jungle canopy. The sloping metal roofs of the centre’s structures cover a rectangular patch at the northwestern tip of the island, 17 kilometres from the main town.

The number of asylum-seeker boats coming to Australia continues to increase but no matter what your own opinion maybe toward this particular topic of debate, Christmas is the perfect time reflect, recognise the families less fortunate than us and realise how important it is to help those in need.

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 10 - student project

“This December, over 2.1 billion Christians will celebrate the Christmas season. Children around the world will wait with baited breath for brightly coloured packages under the tree. A huge majority of the Western parents will spend more money than they can afford, buy more unnecessary garbage that will clutter their homes, and will kill more trees and natural resources on gift wrapping that will end up in the trash the day after. I won’t”. ~Gabi Klaf – The Nomadic Family Travel Blog

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 11 - student project

“Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.” ~Elise Boulding

If you would like to join the network of those helping others in need please visit –

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 12 - student project

http://www.care2.com

http://www.lighthousefoundation.org.au

http://www.asylumseekersfoundation.com

Spend Christmas on an Island where it’s Christmas all year round (or is it)? - image 15 - student project

http://www.results.org.uk

Until next time, I hope you too will consider saving the gift of giving for those who need it most.

Sarah Louise x

Sarah Lou

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