20th Century
Ghosts of Christmas Past
Post War Britain I loved Christmas as a child: I would guess most of us did, but I am amazed and humbled when I look back at how much was achieved with how little by [more…]
Christmas
Arts
A Wankpuffin Christmas Carol, 2021
© EJ 2021
Arts
St Stephen and St Stephen’s Day
In the church year St Stephen’s Day is traditionally the one after Christmas Day, or two days after in some places. In the Eastern church countries which still use the Julian calendar both it and [more…]
Christianity
Some Thoughts on the Nativity
We are all familiar with the ingredients of the nativity story: the birth of Jesus foretold. The Census of Caesar Augustus (tax censuses were a regular feature of the Roman Empire and a Quirinus was [more…]
Arts
Arts
The Coventry Carol
Several oil-on-oak-panel versions of The Massacre of the Innocents were painted by 16th-century Netherlandish painters Pieter Bruegel the Elder and his son Pieter Brueghel the Younger. The work translates the Biblical account of the Massacre [more…]
Arts
Arts
The Steps to the North Pole
At this time of year there are many traditions that people follow – school carol services and nativity plays; putting up a tree; lights on the front of the house; Black Friday then Cyber Monday; [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary, Week One Hundred and Nineteen
Monday Morning everyone, I’m sure you will be happy for me enjoying a weekend of peace and quiet without the humans. The Dreamies Girl was in this morning and has left the radio on low [more…]