OPINION
THE humble fruit mince pie says so much about Christmas.
Now, the agriculture advocate will extol the virtues of the pie as representing a coming-together of broadacre farming (the pastry), fruit growers (the fruit mince) and the sugar industry (the sugar).
But it's larger than that, particularly for handmade fruit mince pies.
There's nothing wrong with the mass-produced factory pies but you see, when they are hand-made, no two pies are the same, much like the hungry humans consuming them.
Some have rough edges, others some are a bit more flaky, some are a bit overstuffed and a few usually crumble under pressure.
The beauty is in their imperfections. They are as their creator formed them, knowing that each one needs forgiveness of those flaws in a sense, to appreciate the sweetness within.
And so is the greater Christmas connection.
According to the internet, at one stage fruit mince pies were purposely made in an oval shape to represent the manger Jesus was placed in.
They can also stand as a hopeful image of the world, where those within it, all the "mixed fruit" of different origins and types, stick together.
In those terms, it is a picture of harmony, of peace, of "goodwill toward man" as Luke 2: 14 says.
So here's hoping a fruit mince pie crosses your plate at some time today.
Before you tuck into it, ponder the higher meaning of Christmas and its purpose. In other words: "Think of the Saviour before you savour."
To you and yours, have a very happy Christmas.