Povey Prattle

St. John's College, Nottingham, U.K.  my theological  Alma Mater, and dear to my heart in many ways will close in September 2020.    I trained there for ordained ministry between 1972 and 1976. St. John's had a life span of 135 years,  It flourished in the olden days when the typical path to ordination in the C of E  was for men who had completed high school; had taken a Bachelors Degree at Oxford, Cambridge  or some lesser University!; and almost immediately (at age about 23), had entered a Theological College. Even by my time that pattern had begun to unravel.  I was 28 years old when I enrolled at St. John's, sans any prior degree, My way was paid by a generous grant from the County Council of Oxfordshire  - in which County I was living at the time, Those County grants have all but dried up.  The typical seminarian is now more likely to be female than male; and/or in her or his thirties or even forties. For ...

The Christmas Season for Christians begins on December 25th and ends on January 6th.   Jan 6th is known as "The Feast of the Epiphany" for some Christians; or as  "Little Christmas " for others.) I anticipate and savour the twelve day  season by not opening and enjoying my Christmas Cards until December 25th. I got behind this year, so I did not open my Cards until December 26th (Boxing Day, or St. Stephen's Day.) Not to worry.  December 26th is still in the Christmas Season. I enjoyed the slow process of opening each and every one; savouring the love and care which each card offers. (And I use  a paper knife which my brother Martyn and his wife Wendy gave me for my 65th birthday.  I  reserve it  for use only in the Christmas Season).

Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas. As a matter of fact, neither did the earliest Christians. On Christmas Day 2019 two middle+ aged J.W's (a woman and a man)  were making their quiet witness in Arlington Park.  They sat quietly on a bench opposite the dog park, with an easel which announced their presence, waiting with patience in the event that some person would care to hear their witness.   As I walked by the woman made a wee fuss of Zion, and the three of us said hallo, Then, knowing that J.W's do not observe Christmas, and with  twinkle in my eye I said  "Happy Wednesday" The man caught my humour and burst into a great belly laugh.  He knew that I was not being unkind. "You caught my humour" I said,   "Oh yes" he replied, and this time the woman joining him, we all laughed again.

Bone in prime rib roast. A rare treat (as it should be). Delicious of course   (seasoned with an appropriate amount of  liberal guilt, and  a modicum of self justification)

I post this every year at Christmastide.  Nat King Cole sings "O Holy Night" .  I love his voice, and I admire his diction . https://youtu.be/ZRfLl5OEDy8 --------------------------------------------------------------- For more about this song ; the prejudice which almost damned it; and the faith which renewed it, read on:- The History of "O Holy Night" The following is not my writing.  I "lifted it" from the WWW Stories Behind the Music: "O Holy Night" "O Holy Night" remains one of the world's most beloved Christmas carols, with uplifting lyrics and melody. The lyrics were written by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), a resident of Roquemaure, France (located a few miles north of the historic city of Avignon). Cappeau was a wine merchant and mayor of the town, as well as an occasional writer of poetry.  Known more for his poetry than his church attendance, it probably shocked Cappeau when his ...

There is a town of Florida in Massachusetts.  Photo' via my friend Bill T. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Massachusetts also has the town of Peru.

Via Dave M