Half Baptist and half Anglopalian, we share asimple ecumenical chapel with one cousin the Baptist preacher and another cousin our priest. We had a joint service Christmas Eve because the Baptists love the Anglican ritual this time of year. It was a lovely service, although routine. But the highlight was the handsome, clear voiced young cousin who sang at the close of the service. In a darkened chapel he was lit by a semicircle of luminaria blanca at his feet as he sang Silent Night in German and Spanish, while accompanying himself with Spanish guitar. It was beautiful.

The biggest event of the festival for all of us I wrote about at Mad Priests blog. It is a way down the page.

The crowds who turned out for the Crib Service on Christmas eve afternoon.
The sound of the theme tune for Harry Potter which was played as the crowds gathered for the Nativity Play par excellence.
That verse with the descant on our final hymn at Midnight Mass (O Come all Ye Faithful) always makes me cry.

For me Christmas was mixed as my brother died last Christmas. I did attend a Christmas eve service which ended in silence and candlelight.

-your lurking low church non-theist

They got their own special treatment at the words, “forthwith, Appeared a shining throng…”