I wonder if you have seen the Sainsbury's 'Perfect Christmas' advert and, if so, like me you have been bewildered by the (presumably Welsh) choir singing the tune Ar Hyd y Nos.  What, I found myself wondering, had that to do with Christmas, beyond being a nice feel-good kind of a tune.  This morning as we sang carols round the piano I was reminded that this tune does have its place in this season, even if it is highly debatable that the advertising agency knew that!  Thank you whoever chose this carol (I forgot, shame on me)...

Come and sing the Christmas story
this holy night!
Christ is born: the hope of glory
dawns on our sight.
Alleluia! earth is ringing
with a thousand angels singing-
hear the message they are bringing
this holy night.

Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary
this holy night,
in a world confused and weary
you are our light.
God is in a manger lying,
self effacing, wealth denying
life embracing, death defying
this holy night.

Lord of all! Let us acclaim him
this holy night;
king of our salvation name him,
throned in the height.
Son of Man-let us adore him,
all the earth is waiting for him;
Son of God-we bow before him
this holy night.

From Psalm 8. Michael Perry (1942-1996) © Mrs B Perry/Jubilate Hymns
(BPW 161 for any Bappies out there)

Photos (c) Ken Fisher... we take our singing, and our supping, very seriously, as you can tell!  (And yes, that tinselled hat is probably the only halo I'll ever get!)

Possibly the simplest formula around, and I am looking forward to it.

Today our Coffee Club meet around the piano to do carol-oake... picking carols to be sung - and to sup tea/coffee and maybe munch the odd treat.  O Latte Town of Bethlehem maybe?  There may be a few more awful alternatives if someone has the brain to spot them.

It will be a good morning, an important morning, as last week we had to postpone lunch due to the ice-on-snow-on-ice (the good news is the restaurant were fine about it and even relieved as their staff were struggling to get in; come Jnauary we have a treat to anticipate).  Some of these folk have not been able to get out much in the last week or two, and if the met. office are right we have more snow on its way.

Simply let the songs tell the story, let laughter fiull the air, let the warmth of friendship wrap us round... and the mystery of Christmas, albeit sneaking into Advent, will occur.

Great excuse to don the tinsel methinks.