Origami boats, flowers, birds and hearts, all crafted from golden napkins by two Japanese girls who came to yesterday's Christmas Day lunch, and shared them with children from Mongolia and Iran.  This sums up and symbolises what an amazing day we shared.

When I prepared for the service, I had guessed that 50 of everything would be plenty... oh me of little faith, over a hundred people, from four local churches supplemented by oodles of visitors, came together to celebrate Christmas surrounded by beautiful stained glass in splendid architecture. We successfully negotiated our different traditions and expectations and had a lovely warm, friendly time together.

Moving to the hall, about forty or so folk (I didn't count so I don't know exactly how many) enjoyed a three course lunch, sang carols, renewed old friendships and made new ones.  Students, refugees, people who would otherwise be alone, retired academics, missionaries and people with vulnerabilities gathered together in a room where the air rang with laughter, and the love was palpable.  This is Christmas.  This is a foretaste of heaven.

After that, in true Vicar of Dibley fashion, I was welcomed into a home for a second Christmas Dinner.  A small gathering who shared conversation and quizzes (and another three courses dinner!) in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere.

Arriving home at about 10:30, I had no energy left to unwrap parcels, so went to bed, tired and happy, knowing that I had already had the best gift I could dream of.

Advance Posted - I have a very full day!

Wishing all my loyal readers a very joyful, love-filled Christmas, and a New Year full of hope, happiness and health.

May God bless us all with Good News this day, and always...

In 2004, circumstances forced a rapid re-planning of Christmas Eve Communion in a borrowed 'Lady Chapel' of an Anglican parish church.  From this emerged a very precious tradition of gathering in someone's home for a very simple communion service, followed by light refreshments.

Moving north, there were other traditions, and so last year was the first time I offered this simple service.  A goodly number of folk braved a wet, dark night to come to my home, and I think a good time was had by all.

I have just set up my kitchen for this evening's candle light Christmas Eve Communion.  As Advent reaches its conclusion, as the destination is in sight, there's not much I like better than to sit quietly in subdued lighting, with people I love, and remember what it's all about.

Advent has been great, lots of fun, every week a pack out... but this is my time, for me, small, intimate, focused in a different way.  And, of course, I want it to bless others, as it blesses me.

I wanted to end Advent with an image of 'a host of angels' or 'a multitude of angels.'  This one appeared when I searched for the latter.  I like the swirling mass of angels, many, maybe most, barely distinguishable.  I like the constrast of the figures at the foot of the image.

This morning we had yet another pack out service for our 'Lessons and Carols' with some amazing singing, some old, well-loved readings, and a lot of joy.

This evening, I will welcome whoever turns up at my home for a simple communion service, not at midnight (I'll be tucked up long before then!) but early evening.  With recorded music, candles and carefully chosen words, we will listen, one more time, for the voice of the angels bringign us Good News.

God who has journeyed with us to the shortest day, and beyond

Bless us, we pray, with renewed wonder at the mystery of Christmas

Amen.

This angel keeps watch from high above the city of Glasgow - being one of the huge memorials in Glasgow necropolis.

As Advent nears its end, we come almost full circle, with angels keeping sentinel over cities.

After a fairly frenetic week - and a busy morning cleaning my flat ready for guests to drop in this afternoon - I'm just about sorted for the weekend.  And it's good to pause, even fleetingly to listen out for the quiet voice of angels, speaking Good News of hope, joy, peace and love into this city, and countless others.

Thank you, God of all places, for angels carved in stone, symbolising your safekeeping of all held in their gaze.