When I was a kid, the one true indication that Christmas was on the way was my Dad icing the cake. He was an engineer and this precision icing was a sight to behold. Always there was thin piped criss-cross basketwork, stars, silver balls the lot. He always did it on the night that Messiah was on Radio 3 (generally around Dec 10th) and I always watched in fascination. Consequently I can now join in Messiah from beginning to end without ever 'learning' it.
When I got married my own tradition was to listen to the 3.00 p.m. Nine Lessons and Carols on Radio 4 - usually while making mince pies!
Since we came to the village I always attend the Carols by Candle-light service on the Sunday evening before Christmas. The first year we were here the vicar, having ascertained that I played guitar and sang in a choir, asked if I'd like to 'do a carol' (Carol's her name too!). Now my sister and I try to find an unusual carol to make a contrast to the audience carols and do a turn. So we've created another tradition! |