Murris Analysis

In what ways does Source 1 incorporate elements of Spirituality and religion in the Murri people’s preparation for Christmas? 330 WORDS

Source 1, “A Prayer Ceremony to Prepare for Christmas” thoroughly describes the Murri people’s preparation for Christmas that takes place 4 weeks prior to the 25th of December. It describes the worship space which is marked out by stones surrounding a coolamon, that a baby is carried in, like a manger. In the third paragraph, it informs the audience of the symbols which are added into the sacred space such as a twig of gum leaves, a creature, a message stick and candles. Each of these symbols acknowledge Jesus’ actions and how he influenced the world. When analyzed, the source reveals many elements of both

Vincent De Paul’s Newsletter ‘The Record’, of Summer 2013-2014 cover is a metaphor about the meaning of Christmas and how the true meaning of the celebration is missing. The picture displays Mary and Joseph standing next to an empty manger without baby Jesus, representing that the Birth of Jesus is being disregarded and replaced by a more secular celebration, with “Something is missing, reflections on what Christmas is becoming” writen on the bottom of the source. Sacred meaning, “Connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration” The opposite of sacred, profane, “Not relating to that which is sacred or religious; secular” can interconnect with sacredness, for example, some Christmas celebrations may have secular aspects like attending mass in the morning and then spending the day at the beach with friends. Source 3 demonstrates both sacred and profane elements behind the real message of Christmas and how it is seen by different people in society. The traditional and sacred reasoning of celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, is starting to be taken over by a more profane view of exchanging presents. The sacred nature of Australian Society is acknowledged in the source through the image of Mary and Joseph kneeling by a manger which reflects the story of The Birth of Jesus in the bible. However, Profane nature is also demonstrated through the message, baby Jesus missing from the manger, which suggests that the Australian socio-culture is celebrating Christmas in a profane manner. As many people in our society do not believe in the Religious aspects of life, or do not practise a religion whether it be Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism, 16.6% of Australians belong to “No Religion” according to a survey conducted by the ABS, in 1996. From many profane celebrations taking place to celebrate the sacred events such as Easter and Christmas, the loss of morals such as loving one another,