With an average December temperature of 24 C (75 F), Bermudians do not need to put on extra layers to head out to the Christmas kettles. In addition to singing traditional Christmas carols, Bermudians also enjoy secular Western holiday songs such as White Christmas, despite the fact that they will celebrate with sun, colourful flowers and bushes, turquoise blue sea and pink beaches.

“Whatever the weather, The Salvation Army is an important part of the festive season with brass bands serenading in the evenings throughout the city of Hamilton,” says Rosemary Phillips, chaplain at Bermuda's Harbour Light and corps sergeant major at North Street Citadel. The Governor's House, Fairmount Southampton Princess Hotel, guest houses, private Christmas parties and sports clubs all invite The Salvation Army to participate in community celebrations.

Salvation Army corps across the island provide many opportunities for families to hear the Christmas story. There are carol festivals, children and youth concerts, candlelight services and parties.

At the divisional level, there is a carol festival organized by the divisional youth secretary. “All Salvationists, young and old, are invited to participate,” says Phillips. “Corps officers and divisional leaders open their homes for a time of food, fun and fellowship.”

On Christmas Eve, for the past 100 years, bands have stayed out all night. “The tradition began when many Bermudians stayed up all night decorating their houses and cooking for Christmas,” explains Phillips. Recognizing this, the bands began to stroll through residential streets to play carols.

There is an annual Christ-mas dinner for the homeless, sponsored by a private donor. The Bermuda Divisional Band provides Christmas music as the men and women eat their turkey and cassava pie meal with all of the trimmings, and receive a gift as well. “Cassava pie is a cake-like pie with a layer of chicken between the batter, made from grated cassava root,” Phillips says. In addition, The Salvation Army distributes hampers with food and toys to many needy men, women and families, wishing them a blessed Christmas.

Top photo: St. George's band helps with Christmas kettles. Bottom: A Salvation Army band plays for guests at Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel on Christmas Eve

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While Bermudians enjoy their warm-weather celebrations, the residents of Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, welcome the festive season dressed in layers of sweaters and parkas. Majors Dale and Jo Sobool, corps officers, and corps members and volunteers at the Yellowknife Corps and Resource Centre keep away the chill by staying busy with a variety of ministries and outreach opportunities.

“During the month of December, we have about four hours of daylight each day, but whether it is light or dark outside, we share the light of Jesus in our actions,” comments Major Jo Sobool. Among the many caring ministries undertaken on behalf of the Army, Major Sobool and women from the corps deliver blankets to the local elders in the community. Food hampers and toys are delivered to individuals and families in town. For those in need in outlying areas, a local airline transports the hampers and toys so that no one has to be in need at Christmas.

The Sobools are also involved in bringing Christmas cheer to those who are incarcerated, by delivering gifts to the local correctional facility. Last December, they were invited to a community feast at the North Slave Corrections Centre where they presented each resident with a Salvation Army hygiene kit containing toiletries and a pamphlet telling the Christmas story.

On Christmas Day, the shelter is open, as it is every day of the year. After enjoying a Christmas concert and Christmas Eve candlelight service, people are invited to spend the day at the shelter. The staff engage clients in activities such as making gingerbread houses and playing games while they wait for Christmas dinner. Community volunteers help serve the dinner and distribute gifts to all those staying in the shelter.

Top photo: Mjrs Dale and Jo Sobool stay warm in their northern coats and hats. Bottom: Staff member Stacey Van Metre and shelter client Louis display a gingerbread house they made together