Merry Christmas!

So, Christmas. The Feast of the Incarnation. Of late years, it has, for me, been structured around a line from Robertson Davies' A Mixture of Frailties (1958),in which a young writer enjoys a Christmas in Wales:

If I were at home, I would have finished my Christmas shopping a full two weeks ago; I would have wrapped everything up in elaborate paper, and tied it with expensive twine. I would approach the great festal day prepared for everything but a good time.... [F]or the first time in my life, I have got Christmas into focus. Tomorrow, I shall worship, I shall feast, and--quite incidentally, I shall give and receive.

(P. 176-177)

I've tried to learn form that, to make the worship central, the good times with family and dear friends central as well, and the giving and receiving a pleasant incidental. The joy is in the celebration, the music, and the day, not in the "stuff."

The worship at St Barts is especially hallowed by music, from beautiful settings of the Mass to familiar carols. Yesterday, I had a family lunch, was an acolyte at the 7 pm mass, enjoyed dinner at St Barts with my friends there, and then was a crucifer at 11. I've done it several years now, and it combines all of those elements Davies urged be at the heart of Christmas celebrations, and centers the festal day for me.

Today, a family Christmas after a much needed lie-in.

And, of course, the Doctor Who Christmas Special. After all, tradition is important.



Um, yes, that carol does always seem to get special treatment:



May all of you who celebrate the day have a joyous and holy Christmas!