Bethlehem, where it all began, is back in business after the after-effects of Covid are diminishing, at least in part of the world, or at least in a lull.
Whilst we could spend the entire day arguing about whether Jesus was born on the 25th, or in Bethlehem, or existed at all, father Christmas is out visiting homes and hospitals, usually by Jews or Muslims because they are not celebrating but instead helping those who are. If you went to Midnight mass you will be sleeping late. If you have children, you may have woken up early. You could have been left in peace while they unwrap presents and toys.
In the UK a time-conscious moment is the speech by King Charles 3 at 3 pm, timed to be after you and he have finished lunch on UK time. The message is broadcast around the world.
We often accidentally refer to it as the King's Speech, which is the name of the film about the first broadcast. (The Americans say movie, where the British say film.) But, strictly speaking, the King's Speech is given at the opening of Parliament. What you hear on Christmas day is the Christmas day message. However, online it is listed as the King's Speech in the Radio Times.
Whether in company, while half the family, especially elderly grandmothers, are asleep. I recall a Christmas Day when we put my elderly mother in law in front of the television. I wanted to park the guests somewhere to keep them occupied when I relax from talking and serving, and needed to spend time clearing up after lunch, and getting ready for tea.
We used to serve UK Christmas dinner of turkey, then Christmas pudding. W saved the mince pies for tea time. Once we flamed the brandy over the pudding. One year we had the novelty of the Heston Blumenthal's Christmas pudding with the surprise citrus fruit in the middle. The first year, the supermarkets ran out Canny shoppers had brought extra, depriving others, and sold the surplus online for extortionate prices.
This year we stocked up on Christmas puddings, buying the large sizes early in December and kept eating them through December.
We also went to early Christmas dinners at the Civil Service club.
Xmas cracker. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
By December 24th Waitrose had run out of large size Christmas puddings but small individual ones were still on sale. Christmas and New Year become one combined holiday in a year like 2022 when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and Boxing Day on a Monday, so you get at extra day in lieu, Tuesday, which means you have only a three day working week, if you have a five day working week. This means that by taking off three days, you get a nine day holiday to travel overseas or chill out at home, tidy, DIY, decorate, see family, write your novel, feast or fast.
One year transport ran and was free for New Year. This year we have strikes. Instead of a short working week, a no working week. With the advent of the internet we can have doctors on call online in countries where they don't celebrate Christmas. However, the commercial aspects of Christmas are spreading. Where there are neutral displays, the lights are bright in the high streets (what Americans call main street). What the British call city centre, the Americans call Downtown.
Sales have started already online, for those who did not get Christmas gifts, or not what they wanted, or wanted items more expensive than they could afford. Time for a bargain.
On TV
On TV in the UK you can watch the alternative King's Speech on another Channel. One year it did not please me so I have not watched it since. But I can't help being curious. The old favourite was The Sound Of Music, which many people already have available. Other highlights of a modern Christmas include the Strictly Dancing in Christmas costumes.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
While Londoners are preparing for Xmas lunch, it is evening in Asia.
Useful Websites
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/25th-december-2022-schedule-listings/
https://www.spotangels.com/london-parking
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