Our first Christmas in South Africa for many years. We knew we would be warm but expected the northern hemisphere to be cold. We were surprised when the north was as warm as the south! I got to preach on the first Sunday in Christmas. My son was in the congregation — the first time that he had heard me preach so it was a very special time for me. I commented on how wonderful it is to have these twelve days to ourselves. The malls have stopped playing carols and given up muddling Advent with Christmas. Now, we the church, can celebrate the birth of Christ in peace and quiet.