The lead up to Christmas was a bit of a blur as the Mhinisteir was down with a bad cold and within a day or two I got it too. Despite being poorly, he still had to conduct funerals and carol services to lead while I tried to give him copious amounts of hot toddy and encourage him to eat a little.
I only brought out our Christmas decorations on the evening of Christmas eve and started decorating while the Mhinisteir readied himself for the midnight mass. I didn’t go with him. Instead I stuck to the yearly ritual of ringing my parents at midnight to wish them a Merry Christmas. By the way, it is only my mother who is awake at that time! We do that on New Year’s Eve too!
On Christmas day, I went to the early morning service. I was feeling rather woozy as I had stayed up waiting for the Mhinisteir! After church, I made a quick dash next door to drop off a small present for the neighbours. Thankfully I managed to leave it at their door without having to bump into them because every year they get a little embarrassed to receive a present from us! We have always done it wherever in the world we have lived.
Since Christmas day was a Sunday, I prepared our usual roast chicken with all the trimmings which we enjoyed very much. The Mhinisteir caught up on his sleep while I read.
Apart from going out for a short drive for my birthday which falls between Christmas and New Year and the Mhinisteir conducting a couple of funerals, we spent the rest of the time simply relaxing at home which was absolute bliss!
Secret Diary Of A Church of England Vicar's Wife 