This month I have a go at the Dear Friends article because most clergy are too busy with Christmas. I recommend T.S. Elliot's The Journey of the Magi to you, as a way into the reality of Christmas beyond the ubiquitous commercial, tawdry, spectacle into which it has evolved.

Mrs Clarke reports on the Mothers' Union Christmas Party. Looking at the photographs I suspect that sherry may have been imbibed.

And speaking of photographs, I'm indebted to Revd. Pete for supplying me with fantastic images this month - thanks Pete!

Finally, the Clarke household welcomes home a lost camel, that turns out not to be ours. I never thought that I would write those words in that order...