Church lawns fill with folding chairs for car­ols, kids rehearse their nativity lines with tea towels on their heads, and once again we pause at the old, beautiful story of a baby born in a stable — God choosing the simple and the small to show us He is with us.

At Kerin Health, the lights are still on. The tinsel on the front desk is slightly crooked.

Someone’s brought in shortbread. The tree in the corner is looking a little droopy after a month of being “reorganised” by many tod­dlers – mostly my own two-year-old, a tiny interior decorator with very big opinions.

Most mornings begin the same way — a deep breath at the door, mustering energy for another day amidst the juggle of school presentation nights and Christmas parties.

We wouldn’t have it any other way. Be­cause between the carols and the chaos, there are quieter moments. A farmer com­ing in straight from the paddock, hat in hand, finally making time for his sore shoul­der. A Mum in thongs and a messy bun, baby on one hip, whispering that she’s not just tired, she’s overwhelmed. An older gent who “hates a fuss”, leaving his appointment standing taller, with a joke for the girls at the front desk.

These are the stories of this year. Of bodies worked hard and hearts stretched thin. Of neighbours checking in. Of country people doing what they’ve always done — showing up for each other.

Christmas, for Kerin Health, is less about perfect tables and more about full ones.

Less about having everything “sorted” and more about being together, sharing food, stories and second helpings.

Our team will be taking a break over Christmas to rest with our own families, so the clinic will be closed for appointments during that time, reopening in early January refreshed and ready for a big year ahead.

Behind the scenes, there are plans on whiteboards, new faces joining the staff, and some exciting announcements coming in the new year — more support for rural families, more women’s health and preg­nancy services, more ways to care for the bodies that carry our stories.

From all of us at Kerin Health: thank you for trusting us with your aches, your tears, your hard days and your hopeful ones. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.