We had one of our most relaxing days on Christmas day yesterday. There is zero public transport on Christmas (and also very limited on Boxing Day) so felt no pull whatsoever to go out for any reason. We luxuriated in pj’s all day, starting with coffee and Christmas cake and finishing with port from Fortum & Mason’s. We talked, laughed, colored in our fancy coloring books from the Derwent Pencil Museum and prepared a yummy feast with what we found at the M & S Express (the small corner store version of Marks & Spencer’s). We had a breakfast of eggs, toast and fruit and a late dinner of tons of roast veggies, a turkey breast stuffed with pork dressing and spinach and a rocket salad. Of course more Scottish shortbread biscuits and Christmas cake followed.
We listened to the Queen’s Christmas message in which she referred to that now famous spontaneous Christmas Truce in 1914 and the message of love and reconciliation that Jesus represents. This message is kind of a brief “State of the Union” combined with being a live Christmas card for the nation and was actually quite sweet. The Queen looks more and more like my Aunt Mary Gene so she always feels weirdly familiar to me. It has been interesting to see how combined church and state is here. It is lovely to be of the faith of choice but I can also imagine how constraining it might feel to others in the long distant past (and for some in the present too).
The Queen’s Christmas Message
Our day finished with funny British comedy talk/game shows of a certain format that is very popular. We watched Stephen Fry’s “QI” and “8 Out of 10 Cats”. The day was complete with Christmas crackers and silly joke and hats. This was a relaxing counterpoint to the lovely midnight service we attended at All Hallows Church near the Tower of London. This is the oldest church in England built originally in AD675. It is a small but majestic building with a warm service with lots of singing, standing and quite of a bit of pomp.
Joy is to be found anywhere you are, in splendor or in pj’s, how marvelously handy is that?! Joy is all purpose, travels easily and is suitable for all occasions. It lightens, relaxes, opens and grounds all at the same time. Next time you feel cross, lost or tired, try extending this all-purpose quality of love and see the light within you begin to glow.
