The flag, the anthem, and Waltzing Matilda don't do it for me - though I am partial to a snag and thongs.
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Come Australia Day, all I'm girt with is indifference and a ring of unease.
I'll take the public holiday, never you mind. But nationalism? You can keep that for yourself.
And not because of the usual suspects. Though I am concerned about appalling racism, xenophobia, selfishness, misuse of our resources, and many other problems.
But I'm indifferent because I'm a member of Jesus' family.
As are Christians of so many countries and ethnicities. Those are 'my people'. To hijack the kid's song: we are one, and we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come. But no land is home.
I have more affinity with my Palestinian Christian siblings than with my fellow nonChristian Australians.
But it's not that I don't care about you, per se, just not about your Australian-ness.
I do want my neighbours to flourish. Especially my neighbours in need.
But for me, 'neighbour' trumps 'fellow-citizen-ness' (poor political pun intended).
Human trumps nationality.
And just to add confusion: fellow Christian in need trumps others.
The great thing about Australia at the moment is that I can still say and live this. Though it is becoming a bbq-stopper.
St Paul's Anglican Church meets on Sundays at 9am with kids church. All welcome.