Christmas today has changed quite a lot from years ago, especially growing up in Merasheen, Placentia Bay. My family, along with the rest of the community, were victims of resettlement back in the 1960s. We settled in Placentia, but our hearts are still back "home." These are my memories of Christmas in Merasheen.

Outport Christmas Memories

Although this is Christmas, it's not like days of old
When the trees and the ground
Were all covered with snow.
On Christmas Eve, traditions unfold
T'was off to midnight mass we'd all go.

With your new woolen stockings in yer rubbers or gaiters
Now this might sound crazy to "Johnny-come-laters."
For many long years motor vehicles were scarce
So we ploughed through the snow, right up to our arse.
As we walked down the road midst the laughter and chatter
The excitement so great, the weather didn't matter.

When mass was over, back home we would run
And jump in our beds, wait for Santa to come.
Then early Christmas morning downstairs we'd all leap
To find toy guns and dolls, a boat or a jeep.

Later that day while Mom prepared dinner
We played games with each other to see who was the winner
When dinner was over to our cousins we'd trot
To see their Christmas tree and the toys that they got.
Then off to our grandparents' house we would go
To show what we got and get candy for sure.

Then on Christmas night the fun did begin
When we'd all get disguised "Any mummers 'lowed in?"
For the twelve nights of Christmas the people went round
Such shapes and sizes nowhere else could be found.
The music and dancing thru the rafter did ring
Then off to the next house to hear somebody sing.

The fun and the laughter wherever you went
Would last to the twelve days of Christmas were spent.
The adults and children all joined in this game
Throughout our community it was all the same
Tho times have changed and some people have gone
To all these memories we try to hang on
And tell our children so they will know
How we used to spend Christmas many years ago.   Submitted By: NULL