By Lee Lennan

Charles Dickens observed; ‘There seems to be magic in the very name, Christmas.’

There is much magic to be found in the gloriously colourful book, The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant. The magic is to be found in its folkloric themes and stories, forming the basis of the fanciful evolution of the Credit Union Christmas Pageant, as it is seen today.

The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant book is a timely and overdue comprehensive social history record of two uniquely dove-tailed charitable gifts to children. Facts are presented in ways that move the reader towards larger truths and a deeper appreciation of the traditional community celebrations at Christmas Time in South Australia.

This rare and beautifully presented book has captured the fun and spirit of all communities at play. Together with the origins of the international trail of the mythological Christmas story from Syria and Holland, to New Amsterdam (now New York) folklore traditions past and present are recorded for posterity.

The highly valued charitable community gifts to South Australia originated in 1896. Since 1966, the charitable Christmas gifts are preserved by six Credit Unions, The Credit Union Pageant Company, who have combined their resources to become the major sponsors of the Christmas Pageant –The Credit Union Christmas Pageant. In co-operation with David Jones (Australia) Limited, copyright owners of the Magic Cave and the State Government SA Events (a division of the Tourism Commission), the dove-tailing of these two unique legendary events continues to attract world interest.

The Legendary Magic Cave and Christmas Pageant has instant, sentimental and popular appeal to many South Australians and Christmas enthusiasts. Expatriates, interstate and overseas will seek out the long awaited comprehensive social history book of the two remarkable events for children. The high quality publication of 310 pages, bound in hard cover, with a dust jacket represents great buyer value at $49.95 per copy.

Global communities, battered by Ebenezer’s greedy hand say, ‘Leave the Christmas lights on during doom and gloom.’