I recall a Methodist minister colleague telling me how it felt quite scary when he saw his carefully prepared services for the Chrismas period laid out neatly on his desk - and the worry that he might pick up the wrong one.  Would that my desk were that tidy (it would, for those who can recall it, currently give Rachel Jenkins a run for a her money).

Only six more services to deliver - and I think that in terms of prepartion I'm almost there.

This week seems to be eat preach and sleep - in no particular order - with a bit of mega pastoral work thrown in for good measure.  By the end of Christmas Day service, since Sunday last, I will have had around 500 people-contacts  (not 500 different people, but certainly at least 300) in a gospel capacity.  Something tells me that that is more than worth the stupefaction I am already feeling!