Advent re-visited

Arriving early (as usual), this morning at St. M's, thick hard white frost outside, calm quiet Advent with just that little air of anticipation which marks this day, I was reminded on the previous one.

What a contrast.  This morning I looked at the two lovely trees, lights twinkling, baubles shining, the crown decorated with greenery, ribbons and the pristine candles and revelled in the atmosphere.

It was an all-age service and the Sunday school children had been taught a simple little carol by our choir mistress and one of the choir
members.  "We will rock you", they sang, not loudly but quite tunefully considering they are mostly under 6.

This set the tone for a really heart-warming service with the Rector (not usually famous for his lack of inhibition) involving the children at every stage, and somehow managing to combine light-heartedness with an air of the importance of the day.

The choir sang "Come Lord Jesus" as the anthem absolutely magnificently, though I say  it as shouldn't.

We sounded like 40, rather than the mere 14 we actually were.

Last year I felt crushed by the festivities, this year totally a part of it all.

My mother having died on Christmas Eve 2008, followed by my husband in August 2009, I had given away my Christmas decorations and had merely put up the Christmas cards for a few days in all the succeeding years.  Suddenly this year I am seriously considering of buying new lights etc and even possibly having a small tree.

Something has lifted in my depressed spirits in recent weeks and at last Christmas is acquiring some meaning for me.

Last year and the two previous Christmases I have sat at home from Christmas Day until New year, bleakly wishing Christmas over and real life resumed.  This year I can almost feel the small thrills of childhood again.

This morning's wonderful uplifting service has set the tone for what is to come.