X is for the X factor

 

Quite easy to think of this one - X means Christ in Xmas.  Faith is the centre, the fabric, the past, the present and the future of my Christmas celebrations.  

But there are little things which enrich the annual celebration of Christ's birth.  When I was in the regulars I lead Christingle services on Christmas Eve and the memory of the wonder on children's faces as we sang "Away in a manger" by candlelight is something I still treasure.  

These days I cook quite a few Christmas puddings (fifteen this year) and give most of them away but in return I get home-made mince pies, sausage rolls,  things which I don't make but remind me of my friends on Christmas Day.

There are decorations given to me by friends over the years, precious bits which lack commercial perfection but which bring the perfect gift of love.  And it is the gift of love which matters.