The Julian Calendar

Its Christmas Day for the Orthodox churches in much of the Eastern Bloc and across the Middle East....so it seems appropriate to extend our Gregorian calendar a little in celebration of the occassion and join the Julians'!

This morning I had a delightful three way conversation with Albert and Maria (a classmate of his who is also from Russia and helps with translation) Maria is a Russian Orthodox Christian and she was sharing with us her excitement about Christmas Day and how her famiy would be celebrating when she arrived home from school.

White table cloths would grace their dining table to denote the swaddling bands, straw decorations scattered around to depict the lowly birth in the manger and a feast fit for a king served when the first star was spotted in the eastern sky. Her family had been fasting from meat for 40 days prior to last nights' traditional midnight service when it is customary to then break it.

She was also very excited because as she left for school this morning she had espied some beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree which she felt sure must be for her and her little sister! Such wonder and sparkle was there in her eyes as this 12 year old related to Albert the story of the birthday of God!

He listened intently but am sure the questions will come during his Islamic lesson tomorrow! He won't let that rest!

Our tree is still decorated and our nativity still in pride of place in our living room! Decorations would normally be taken down tomorrow but are remaining until Saturday when we have a group of friends joining us for a celebratory Christmas tea (which should have taken place much earlier).....but there's always room for a late celebratory Christmas tea with friends...mum would definitely approve of that!

Happy Blipping Everyone