Yesterday I was still feeling fairly miserable, house a total mess, no decorations except the lights I didn't take down last year. Today the wind has changed direction and the air is cold and dry, and I realise just how much of the breathing problems were down to the damp.
The house is still messy, but there's a clear trail through it, the crib is up, less elaborate than usual, but okay. I have a big bunch of holly and ivy in a large vase, adorned with small decorations and more lights. I even found some holly berries that the scoundrelly blackbird missed.
I listened to the Nine Lessons and Carols from Christ Church cathedral (and chuckled slightly at one totally OTT C of I accent) - Thine be the Glory at the end of that is the signal to put the candle in the window.
I've had a shower, which other people who will be in church later should be grateful for, made bread sauce, and done the lower layers of the trifle (I'll be using a tub of posh custard for the middle layer. And lit a fire.
Smoked fish and salad later, and a mince pie and some sort of alcohol when I'm back from Mass (long before midnight).
Maybe I'll put the tree up tomorrow - there will still the the remaining twelve days to enjoy it.
A Blessed Christmas to all.