yuletide

Sitting in a pew.
The loveliest stillness of the season.
Soon the Gormanstown choir will sing.
Soon I will sing too.
Soon the choir mistress Dorly O'Sullivan will look down warningly into the congregation to let me know I'm shouting the hymns.
Ah tradition.
The warm embrace of years.
Heaven and earth are close.
The church fills with the people of Kilcullen.
Neighbours wrapped up like Dickens characters greet each other in warm good fellowship.
Angels and saints from heaven mingle in the throng.
The air is hushed and expectant.
We are waiting for the child of Bethlehem.