Nadolig Llawen

Merry Christmas!

The tree is lit, the presents are wrapped, the duck (ah yes, no goose and no turkey in the vicarage this year; actually, because I was ill for the Mothers' Union lunch I think I may have missed out on turkey altogether this Christmas) is patiently waiting in the fridge, and I'm almost ready with a Christmas morning sermon.

I hope the day finds you well. My Christmas Eve started appropriately pleasingly with Radio Wales again asking me to comment on a story about carols, and as they were broadcasting from Ponty market it was hardly a stretch to walk the thirty seconds across the road and get in a Wales-wide plug for people to come here to church tonight... Though if you were listening at 7.25am, I'm not sure you'll still be up and raring to go at midnight...

If you have clicked onto here because you got a Christmas email from me - thank you! What a kind friend you are to look at my blog. At least there are no stories of offspring achieving 23 A* results, or of me becoming a grandparent. I did write the first draft of a novel this year, get published in Korea, and travel to the States, Switzerland, Italy, France and Builth Wells. I still haven't learned to foxtrot or fly a fighter jet, and given what happened when I went go-karting, perhaps I shouldn't think of trying the latter just yet.

Musically, I continue to foist myself on an unsuspecting (and undeserving) public. The Quartet is fun, and getting to run the Big Band again was a blast. Then there was the choir, the kids, instrumental stuff and the odd solo item.

And I saw David Tennant in Hamlet, Michael Buble in Tampa, Bob Wilson in Gatwick Airport, loads of friends in loads of places (worth more than all the famous people in the world - well, except maybe DT - he was amazing - no offence), read all the Miss Marple books, loved series 4 of Doctor Who, quite enjoyed Quantum of Solace, got very opinionated about the Damian Green stuff in the news, and felt that perhaps the people who run Strictly Come Dancing should go to Florida in order to learn about how to do voting properly.

If I did see you this year: thanks for the time. If I didn't - here's to next year! The dog sends his best wishes.

But they are the second best wishes here: for friendship is always amongst the greatest gifts. A merry Christmas to you. Nadolig Llawen. Peace and glory, as the angels sang, glory and peace, and let's meet up again soon.