We’re drinking a quick cup of Merry Breakfast blend before heading off for our Christmas Eve visit, so this is short and sweet today.
It’s a lovely tea – and exclusive to this Advent season. Inevitably. We’ll have to buy more before the year is over. There’s pomegranate in the tea, so it’s a bit sweet, but not overly so. Perfect for Christmas Eve.
We’re drinking it while the shortbread bakes as we pack up the Christmas cake and a grass cutting. We’re off to find out why.
But before we go, have the best Christmas poem going. It’s still our favourite.
The Oxen
Thomas Hardy
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
Happy Christmas from the Chorister at home, the Marschallin Cat and the Dachshunds of Dawlish. Don’t forget to take time in all the business to drink tea (our advice) and nap lots (the animals recommend it).
Chorister at Home 