Happy Christmas

I wish I could have bottled last night. The sky was clear with a full moon and all the houses had some form of Christmas lights twinkling. DH and I walked across to the village hall where we could hear O Come All Ye Faithful drifting out on to the crisp air. I had to confess a lump filled my throat. Once inside we were greeted with mulled wine and a hymn sheet. For the next hour and a half we sang our hearts out with the young and the old. The hall was dominated by a large tree and the walls adorned with twigs and ribbons. Mince pies floated about brought by smiling faces. We were wall to wall singing people.

Being that this was Cornwall the hymn in most request was While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks but not the usual version the Lingham one. By the time we had lifted the rafters with that I knew Christmas was here. It's a shame we couldn't take all that warmth and tone and wander the village.

I am prepared this Christmas. Last night finished the preparations for me. Singing hymns put Christ right back into Christmas. It is so easy to forget what the season is about. The warmth of the community gathering to celebrate the Lord's birth and the community as a whole was wonderful.

Today my kids will moan as we go to mass - three daays of church! The tomorrow we will attend the crib service in the village church. Dh and I if still awake may attend midnight mass as it is only a stone's throw away. Some years I listen to the bells ring and haven't the energy to walk up the hill - maybe this year will be different. Then on Christmas morning we will head off to mass again. It is an effort but it is also a privilege. Christmas marks the birth of LOVE and we need to be thankful and celebrate it in our lives.

Wishing all of you a happy and blessed Christmas. Catch you all on Boxing Day.