Northern Ireland Confidential: on christmas day in the morning

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As a concession to my high-church leanings, I listened to the Christmas broadcast from Westminster Abbey as I got ready for my own church service. I was a bit surprised to hear the homily focus on "Strictly Come Dancing"* -- but it's one I won't forget.

Then I went to my own church for a morning service and the remarks focused on O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." Don't worry, we got the Luke 2 account in as well. (For the Christmas Eve service, the 14-year-old reader insisted on using the King James Version, which would have pleased my dad greatly.)

At mid-day we went to have the traditional meal with a very kind couple from my church. They let us crash their family Christmas, which involved her brother and his mother. We missed the Queen's remarks because we lingered over the incredible food -- traditional to a T and perfect -- and a lovely pudding that was like bread pudding.

You may say, "Oh, that's nice." But I want you to think about it this way [my parents are excluded from this exercise]: You want to have a nice, peaceful Christmas with your family, but then you think, "Well, is there anyone else we should include on that day?" And you remember a person in your church, and you invite her. But then she says, I have two other people I would need to bring with me - people that you've never met before they'll walk through your door. And you say, "Sure, no ~~problem~~ worries!"

So not only did they open their home to us, they went on a brisk walk to Stormont with us at our suggestion, then they gave us gifts (!!!) It was a wonderful first Christmas here in Belfast.

JFA said to ask them what they're doing on New Year's Eve and whether we can go to their house again.

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* A British TV show that was the model for "Dancing with the Stars" in the United States