He Called Early

We had a visitor the other night.  We heard loud music and the tinkling of bells and could not make out where it was coming from.  Then there was a knock on the front door and we opened it to see and elf standing there.  Behind him was

 

Santa who had come to see if any of us could spare a little bit of money towards giving those in need a much better Christmas. He had brought several elves with him to help.

We do not have many children in our road but the few we have soon eagerly clustered around his sleigh and he talked to each and every one of them. It was a delight to see their upturned faces bathed in the glow of the lights from the sleigh.  Their eyes were alight with wonder and one little one clapped her hands with delight.  Even the adults came out to watch and everyone was chatting.  The child in each one of us surfaced again.  Just before Santa left, Mike grabbed the camera and was able to quickly take this picture.  Santa gave us a big wave and a "Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas."

This year we have had more carol singers than ever probably because we are one of  a group of homes that is festooned with lights.  Lights draw carol singers like a moth to a flame!  We are averaging about three visits per night.  A couple of them have been a bit cheeky and called twice because we recognised them.

It is always the same songs - We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells.  We began to wonder whether any of them knew a carol, so one night Mike asked.  He was greeted with blank expressions.  The next night, I asked a set of carollers if they would sing me a carol.  I was told "we don't do carols at our school".  I said surely you know about the Christmas story, about Mary and Joseph. Blank faces. Then "we don't do Mary and Joseph at our school".  What a sad reflection on our times.  Britain welcomes all nationalities and all faiths and we respect their beliefs and traditions.  Yet, because of political correctness, we have become ashamed or perhaps worried to show our own.  So, the generation of today are growing up not knowing the joy of carols or the Christian meaning of Christmas.  Of course, it might not be the same all over, but it is definitely like that around here.  I felt sad.

The following night Mike opened the door to see two little lads whose mouths were not moving and yet beautiful voices were resounding around our home.  Mike cottoned on right away.  "Where is it", he asked.  One of the boys then took the tape recorder from behind his back!  Mike told him to switch it off .  He did.  Mike then told them that if THEY sang us a Christmas song, he would give them some money.  They promptly legged it as fast as their young legs could carry them.  We had to laugh.  Mike said afterwards that he should have given them something for their cheek!

Even my Christmas Cactus has gone mad this year, never known so many blooms

We took this picture a few days ago and there are even more blooms since then.  We had to take it into the garden and stand it on a box to even take the picture. We actually have two of them.  The other one is much smaller but it still covered in blooms of the same colour.

The last of our Christmas presents arrived this morning. We only have to wrap that and add it to all the others.  Then sometime this week I shall be making mince pies.  It is coming around so fast that it is hard to believe that in one week from now Christmas will be over for another year.

In the meantime, here is a site that you might enjoy if you have the time.  It only takes a couple of minutes and you can decorate your house by moving the slider slowly along. You can also add snow and the moon.

So, have fun!

Deck the House