Ikea will benefit from the giving and receiving of Christmas presents this year in the Campbell family – more books mean more bookcases to be bought… Continue reading more books means more bookcases – so who will benefit?
I am so glad that I am lucky enough to still be in touch with my family. I know that I am one of the lucky ones. Others, like Lee, are not so lucky. I hope that all families will remember and love all their children for the people that they are – and not try to make them what they are not. Lee McCracken, a young lad from Belfast that I met during Belfast Pride 2011, has recorded a Christmas message to his family. As Lee says, Its been almost a year since my family decided to cut me … Continue reading A time for families to remember all their loved ones
It’s Christmas Day so somewhat predictably (although for the first time in a while) I am at the organ console this morning. For once, I was allowed to choose the hymns myself. But considering the congregation, I chose mostly hymns that I think are well known… First hymn: The First Nowell Second hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing Third hymn: To-Day Be Joy in Every Heart Fourth hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful I am sure that most readers will know the words of the first, second, and fourth hymns, but as the third hymn is not one I’ve known … Continue reading It’s Christmas Day so I’m at the organ
Michael finds that not following instructions can lead to a Christmas cake not rising properly though for some interesting reasons…. Continue reading what happens when you don’t follow instructions…
My apologies to my readers that there has not been much from my desk in recent days, I’ve been on holiday in between a committee meeting of FLAGS and a ringing tour with FODS. But it seems that Bedford is getting ready for the holiday season of Christmas quite early in the year. As Peter and I returned from the Barley Mow last evening [or was it this morning?–Ed.] we saw that Bedford Borough Council had started to put the Christmas lighting up. This reminds me of my home town where Ballymena Borough Council causes embarrassment to its residents by … Continue reading it’s not just Ballymena that brings Christmas early…
Every Christmas for I don’t know how long we have had rows in our family. This year, I am glad to say that it has been much reduced. I am hoping that this will continue into the New Year. As I have discovered, my family is in no way unique in this Christmas rowing tendency. Luckily for me, I am not alone at Christmas. My hugs go to Spidey – whose post yesterday made me cry. Whatever, is going on over there – I’ve been sending good thoughts her way – and I hope they make it through. One Christmas … Continue reading family and love is what counts at Christmas
And so, after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have the Feast of Stephen – or not as it turns out… St Stephen appears to have been sent back to the bench this year. Poor St Stephen, after all, what did he do? Why should we remember him? Oh yes, he was the first Christian martyr… So doubt anyone will be singing Good King Wenceslas this year then. Continue reading ONLY THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR…
From Twitter I learn that most people have already opened their presents, their stockings, and parcels – before lunch!
Before we set off for the service on Christmas Eve night, we set up the Christmas tree unlike many of our friends who had had theirs up since December 1. The most we got during Advent was usually an Advent Calendar or in latter years an Advent Candle.
Since my brothers and I were in the choir at the local Anglican parish church – we were allowed to open one present upon our return from Midnight Mass, then bed quickly. Then Santa came round on his second trip* round the UK. Then in the morning we were allowed to see what Santa had left in the stocking.
It’s the afternoon of the second Sunday of Advent, and I’m now back at Andrew’s after church this morning. There was a party after the service so that the church family – or beloved community – as they call it there could come together to celebrate something of the Christmas joy that is not always so evident in the world at this time. When coming back into the flats where Andrew lives, the door of one of the ground floor flats opened, and an older lady spoke, Were you at All Souls this morning? she asked. When we said that … Continue reading sometimes your neighbours and you have more in common…
Gyronny Herald 