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I was given several books for Christmas including ‘Songs my Grandma Sang’ by Bishop Michael B. Curry… Bishop Michael reflects on his Grandma, part of the generation of Americans of 100 years ago whose grandparents were slaves and who experienced ‘a sung faith expressing a way of being in relationship with the living God ofContinue reading “Just an IDEA”

Yesterday was another family day. Grandson-Zak and Granddaughter-Hannah said, ‘We haven’t been in your musings recently…’ Zak added, ’What about my windmill…?’ Before Christmas Zak had been to Amsterdam with friends; pictures prove it… Windmills keep turning… Musing… the children’s song… A mouse lives in a windmill in Old Amsterdam. He gets a wife, hasContinue reading “Zak, Hannah & Windmills”

The royal family attend the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. Crowds gather… TV reporters assemble… The royals smile and chat to the crowd… Apparently… ‘…Hilary Marsh, 71, from Newmarket, Suffolk, said: “I asked William if Father Christmas had been for the children and he smiled back and said, ‘They’ve had enough presents’.”’ ‘…The PrincessContinue reading “Louis And His Shorts”

Yesterday, Christmas Day, we went to church, sung carols, remembered the reason for the season… We came home and enjoyed food, presents and family. There was a lot of talking and laughter… an excellent day!! There was also rubbish to be disposed of, wrapping paper thrown out, packaging discarded, empty bottles put for recycling… AndContinue reading “Granny’s Soup”

You stepped down from heaven, humbly you cameGod of all creation here with usIn a starlit manger, EmmanuelLight of the world here to save Some think that Christmas is about presents, eating and drinking, traditions, relaxing, having a good time… Some look for a deeper meaning in family, love, special moments, memories of past Christmases,Continue reading “Adore”

Try to imagine a house that’s not a homeTry to imagine a Christmas all alone…. It’ll be lonely this ChristmasWithout you to holdIt’ll be lonely this ChristmasLonely and cold… Each Christmas we hear Bing Crosby, The Pogues, Johnny Mathis, Band Aid… and ‘Mud’, singing about memories, emptiness and Christmas loneliness. Our friend Ben wrote inContinue reading “Lonely this Christmas”

Yesterday was present wrapping day. Rachel finished hers; I did mine… As a child, Christmas presents were put under a blanket, on the sofa, in the lounge (only entered on special occasions). We all bought presents for each other – Mum, Dad, 4 boys, and Gran… Duty… From an early age I was given pocketContinue reading “Aspects of Giving”

Yesterday we saw ‘Little Red’, a Christmas family show telling the story of Little Red Riding Hood. In yesterday’s version Little Red is given a pie to take through the woods to Grandma. Her mother, a woodcutter, tells to wear her red coat, speak to no-one and keep to the path. Mr Wolf persuades herContinue reading “Little Red & Mary”

I spent a large part of yesterday on the phone… five calls… friends I don’t see very often but I care about… friends I’ve known for many years and have kept in touch with. I listened to their personal stories… life-limiting illnesses, hospitals and significant medication, bereavements, family concerns and upsets, mental ill-health, house moves,Continue reading “5 Friends and Winter Solstice”

The University of Brighton has issued a directive advising staff not to use the word ‘Christmas’ because it is too ‘Christian-centric’ and runs the risk of insulting non-Christians. Instead they should refer to the end of term as the ‘winter closure period’. The UK is increasingly a secular country… Christmas is cancelled. Tonight we wereContinue reading “Christmas Cancellations”