Advent 2025: Part 2 (and Christmas!)

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As it's Boxing Day, it feels like a post to finish the Advent times is in order - and of course we celebrated Christmas Day already, although the actual season of Christmas has only just begun.

Like the previous fortnight, these days flew by! We continued to journey with Bartholomew every evening (that's an Advent book by Arnold Ytreeide, part of a series that we greatly enjoy); had our daily activities in the Advent Calendar; and took part in all sorts of Christmassy activities. Some pictures...

Singing with D(9) at the Parish Christmas dinner

N(11) and the rest of the Junior Choir at Mass

N loves the Junior Choir

Circus Skills

Time to dress the tree!

Christmassy...

PRESENTS!

D didn't even make it all the way upstairs... got stuck in his Kindle

This year for the first time we stayed up for Midnight Mass. Both kids struggled while there - D was actually serving, being in charge of the Bishop's Mitre as well as, at times, his staff; and we saw him nodding off with his head bobbing towards the staff - but they did make it through and it was a great experience! Sadly it's not something where I can take photos, but I was so proud of D looking very regal and dignified throughout.

So this year, and I think in following years, our Christmas Eve worked like this: 

  • Afternoon: dress the tree / wrap presents
  • Evening: dinner (pizza!) then gifts
  • Late: Mass

We were in bed at 2am! Merry Christmas!


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