Seeker

Have you made a New Year Resolution? Will it be worth it? I haven't this year and don't intend to do so.  Last year on 31 December I blogged about Scottish Hogmanay customs, which don't include New Year Resolutions but do include much merriment in the process of sweeping out the old year and welcoming the new. Some of you are already in 2011. Here there are a few more hours of 2010 to go. Happy New Year to you now or when it comes! Rather than a resolution, here's a prayer on entering the New Year. In the Church of England it's the Collect for the 2nd Sunday of Christmas. It's on my mind as I'm using it as the focus for a sermon. Almighty God, in the birth of your Son you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word, and shown us the fullness of your love: help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy spirit, one God,...

I'm sorting Christmassy things and found the nativity set with Mary, Joseph, a manger, shepherds, wise men, a donkey and sheep. It did have the Baby, but sadly he got eaten by our dog c. 1991 and hasn't been replaced. On Christmas Eve I place a small cross on the manger, to represent Jesus. It is one of our Christmas traditions.  This year I'm tempted to add an 'El Caganer', such as this one - a Catalonian tradition. You can see what he's doing. That would give the grandchildren a great giggle. Since the 17th century in the area of Catalonia, Spain, nativity scenes (or even nativity plays) include the figure of someone in the act of defecation. This was often a peasant, but now you can buy them in many forms , including public figures like footballers, politicians, religious people and royalty. 'El Caganer' (literally 'the shitter' or 'the crapper') is usually placed discreetly hidden behind a bush or other characters. Then c...