HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you … and thank you so much to those who shared in the full-to-capacity Carol Services at Bramall Hall today, and to the just short of 500 people who were present at our annual Christingle Service at 4pm on Christmas Eve – in aid of the Children’s Society. The baskets were full to overflowing with your generous gifts. The singing was amazing, the crib scene one of the warmest places on earth, the “welcoming home” of this year’s crop of brand new mums, dads and their own little nativity scenes, together with family members all, an absolute joy.

As I write this, for publication at midnight,  I’m fortifying myself with a good supper  before celebrating the Christmas Midnight Mass at 11pm – and meeting two more large eucharistic gatherings on Christmas Day in the morning. You’re all blessing. May you be blessed, richly, together with all you love, and care about, and pray for, this Christmas-tide and always.