Happy Christmas to you all.

Rising late after another wonderful, but exhausting, Christmas Eve of carol singing on behalf of "Action for Children", I didn't forget all of my online friends who bother themselves to read my ramblings and rantings. So, here are my heartfelt wishes for you, Dear Reader, that you come to know the truth of the Christmas message; that the best Christmas gift of all time was given to us as freely as you give presents to your own children. Here's a carol just for you, not sung, but written out in order that in reading the words we might all realise what Christmas is really about.

Cradled in a manger, meanly,

Laid the Son of Man His head;

Sleeping His first earthly slumber

Where the oxen had been fed.

Happy were those shepherds listening

To the holy angels word;

Happy those within that stable

Worshipping their infant Lord.

Happy all who hear the message

Of His coming from above;

Happier still who hail His coming,

And with praises greet His love.

Blessed Saviour, Christ most holy,

In a manger Thou didst rest; 

Canst Thou stoop again, yet lower,

And abide within my breast?

Evil things are there before Thee; 

In the heart, where they have fed,

Wilt Thou pitifully enter, 

Son of Man, and lay Thy head?

Enter, then, O Christ most holy;

Make a Christmas in my heart;

Make a heaven of my manger;

It is heaven where Thou art. 

And to those who never listened

To the message of Thy birth,

Who have winter, but no Christmas

Bringing them Thy peace on earth,

Send to these the joyful tidings; 

By all people, in each home, 

Be there heard the Christmas anthem;

Praise to God, the Christ has come!

God bless you all, especially in these troubled times.