We’ve been home about 10 days now and have got fully into
the swing of a British Christmas.
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Keira, Isabel and Samuel at the Christmas decorations
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Admiring the lights at Milton Keynes
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We came home to find Jonathan and his possessions had
invaded our house. So with some gentle persuasion we managed to get the
possessions sorted into those to go into the loft and those disappearing off to
America next Sunday. Having got everything left (and there is still a lot of
it!) into his bedroom it meant we could clear up the rest of the house.
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| Keira on the carousel |
The Christmas cards have been written, posted and delivered,
Christmas presents bought and wrapped and the food list made. Christopher had
worked very hard decorating the house and so time to enjoy the festivities!
To get us in the mood, we went to a small historic town
about an hour away which has lots of independent shops full of interesting
items to look at and a market selling amongst many other things hot chestnuts.
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Milton Keynes fantastic lights
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On Monday I then went with Fiona, Sarah and all the little
ones to Milton Keynes which has a fine Christmas display to admire and a
carousel to ride on.
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Jonathan and Sarah
in fancy dress |
Last Sunday we had the Christmas Family service which was
rather a mish mash of Christmas light heartedness with a solid Gospel
message. Everyone was invited to dress
up so we had two Father Christmas’s, a wide range of angels, shepherds, wise
men, the innkeeper’s wife, a dalek and Darth Vader! The worship band were all
dressed as tin soldiers and Sarah, our daughter, who presided over the offering
talk as well as Christmas supermarket sweep was an elf! All good fun!
During the week we managed some golf and a visit to
an
historic Tudor house with a wonderful display of Christmas through the ages.
They had two people dressed up and playing Tudor music. Then we visited another
historic home dressed for a Victorian Christmas with Fiona, Arran and Isabel.
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| Tudor Christmas music |
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| Arran and Isabel |
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| Oxburgh Hall |
Yesterday we had a very good Christmas morning service with
carols and a message about the significance of Bethlehem to the Christmas
story. Christopher read a lesson and Sarah took part as well. Last night was
the Christmas Candlelight (or rather glo stick) Carol service with the first
half music all arranged and rehearsed by our Jonathan. We were very proud – he did
a great job. There was then a Christmas message and we rounded off with a ‘rock’
medley which was very loud and not my cup of tea.
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| Our front door step |
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Santa's helpers and
the Christmas shopping |
David arrived late last night and we have just done the eye
wateringly expensive Christmas shop.
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| Our Christmas tree |
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| The family at Hughenden Manor |
We wish you all a very very happy Christmas and my prayer is
that the miracle of Jesus coming to earth to save a sinful world will become a
wonderful fresh revelation to each one of you as we enjoy family, friends and fellowship
this season.
