Merry Christmas!

This was out first Christmas Eve in Aus - sweltering weather - thank goodness for Aircon! Food was good, company was great and there were presents. So notwithstanding that we are all missing family and friends terribly, it was a good start to our Christmas. Since our dinner didn't finish too late, we decided to go to Midnight Mass and it was all Christmasy with the manger and gifts for the children, and reminded us of our home parish. As I write this here on Christmas morning, those in SA will be singing Carols before Midnight Mass begins. To paraphrase an old hymn: As the Church unsleeping, while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping and rests not now by day or night. The sun that bids you rest is waking us here beneath the eastern sky and hour by hour fresh lips are making the birth of God's Son known on high.Here are some shots of the food - from the starter and the table setting to our tree (actually taken at Richard's place) to the last one where with S&T we greet you all with a toast to a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! (all pics courtesy of http://capetwony.blogspot.com)