Date: 25 December 2005 14:52:35
So yesterday I was woken up at 7.20AM by some drunk guy hollering that he was going to break every window in the ****ing flat if James didn't let him into HIS flat, and then hammering on my bedroom window (the joys of ground floor living). Quite who James was I really don't know, but anyway it scared the life out of me, particularly as he then shouted "Fire!" Of course by the time I looked out of the window he'd buggered off, but not without leaving me really upset as it reminded me of exactly this time last year when a window in my previous house was smashed by my friendly neighbourhood burglar the week before Christmas and the house trashed. Not the best start to the season, I can't say I was feeling terribly peaceful or joyful after that, and I was certainly distinctly lacking in goodwill toward men (particularly of the drunk Glaswegian variety).
The rest of the day passed relatively peacefully - a trip to the dump, a quick flirtation with A&B's computer (roll on Thursday when I can get internet at my own place rather than driving 8 miles away!), and then getting ready for Midnight Mass. What can I say about that - it was fabulous. More people than usual, but still the church was way less than half full. A very traditional service, with LOTS of incense, I loved it. I went to a service last new year with lots of incense and found it all a bit bewildering (not to mention hardly being able to see through the fog!), but having been used to services which are very reflective and intimate, this service really emphasised to me the mystery and awesomeness and out-there-ness of the Incarnation, it was beautiful. It did go on a bit though (an hour and a half, we weren't out till 1am!). It ended with us processing to the back of the church and standing round the Nativity crib, where the (somewhat oversized) baby Jesus was added to the scene and then we sang "In the Bleak Midwinter". Mild cockup moment when it turned out that the Order of Service had omitted that the 3rd verse was choir only, so while the choir sang verse 3 we all started verse 4 (which according to the OoS was verse 3), but other than that it passed without disaster. And ending up at the crib was a beautiful touch I thought - taking us from the mystery to the more personal, with the sense of intimacy and reflection that I'm more used to.
Church this morning was very subdued - the choir has the day off (very deservedly too!) and there were only about 20 of us in the congregation - and it was a bit more reflective. Phone calls to family and friends followed, and now I'm here. I wanted to say a huge thank you to Smudgie and birdie for their (most unexpected) presents - I am now the proud owner of a musical penguin (guess who that was from) and some very tasteful Christmas tree decorations, which I was really pleased with as I've previously only had a 1ft Christmas tree so only had a very few decorations, but this year the smallest tree I could get was 2ft so despite being decorated with every decoration I own it was still looking a bit on the bare side. I also got some very cute Christmas coasters from my SoF Secret Santa, so that shall come in very handy later on for supporting my glass of sherry which will be accompanying the haggis.
I've read a number of you talking about Carols from Kings, I'm afraid I missed that and my main musical accompaniment this Christmas has been the Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas album, which is brilliant. There are really funny (probably not intentional) versions of Little Drummer Boy and Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and a wonderful, really funky version of Away in a Manger (which is the reason I bought it in the first place). I may go the whole hog and dig out John Denver and the Muppets "A Christmas Together" later today. I'm so classy!
Anyway - love and best wishes to you all, I hope you enjoy the rest of the day and that this whole season brings you peace, hope and joy beyond your imaginings.