Christmas blues

It is Christmas Eve (alright some friends like Simone have already begun Christmas in Hong Kong and Mary Lew and Charis will have to wait HOURS and HOURS in California) and I should be doing something more profitable with my time than FaceBook and blogs. However dear reader, as you can see, I have in fact decided that blogging is the appropriate and brain numbing activity at least for the next few moments. Not that I have forgotten you of course, you are frequently on my mind, it is just that, as I have remarked before, FB is so instant that it takes all the bon mots and I have no time for considered thought before moving on to the next post. Talking of post, don't the post people seem to be getting younger along with the baby faced police persons who are also getting shorter.
The snow has gone, the ice remains and the wind is bitter as we prepare to set off for the midnight service. Actually it is 11.30 service and over by 00.15 (sorry Michael) - even the services seem to be shorter. I remember, I remember way back when - one carols by candlelight rather than midnight communion when I was head acolyte, leaning back during the sermon and setting myself alight on one of the candles. #Elf and Safety would no longer permit, even Christingle globes have to be battery operated now.
"we need a cauliflour" - the cry went up in the kitchen on Christmas Eve. Waitrose had shut early, M&S was shut, Iceland was shut, Tesco had run out so praises to the little "Ind***n" round the corner who sold me his last one and some broccoli to boot - mind you it did look as if someone had booted it but I am sure it will cook up nicely.
Boys to Christmas dinner tomorrow which will be nice before they each disappear to their corners with new electronic games or whatever else SC may have brought. Harking back to my old profession that Sat Nav just might come in handy. An imposter came around the other night on a trailer hitched to the back of a car. I didn't like to comment on his professional shortcomings but not a reindeer in sight - no street cred these modern santas. I was asked to reprise my greatest hour for the guys in the office but politely declined - somehow the gloss has gone, or maybe it is just the beard that tickles
"Snow had fallen, snow on snow" - actually it was a pensioner who had fallen but she managed to restore herself and hobble off before I could offer assistance
Not many Christmas carols around this year, just the incessant jingles in all the shops - that Rudolph has a lot to answer for. Anyway I always say Carol is for life not just for Christmas and I am sure Mike agrees
'Tis the season to be jolly - until the credit card bills come in and VAT goes up
But all this loses sight of the real meaning of Christmas and the reason we are still up long past our bedtime to trek out into the icy blast to join with others to celebrate the birth of our Saviour
Happy Christmas to one and all and may God bless you in 2011