As always I am very conscious that Christmas may not be a happy time for everyone and indeed it can be a very difficult and sometimes stressful period for many people. Maybe it is becoming over commercialised and little or no time is given for reflecting upon the true meaning of our Christmas celebrations and those less fortunate or lonely. Thankfully, where I live the lonely are well catered for and remembered and I like to think that hopefully this is something that prevails throughout all the towns and villages and we have time for thinking about the meaning behind this special event.
This is one of my favourite poems by Christina Rossetti.
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
An excerpt from one by Maya Angelou;
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder…
And on a more down to earth, note sent out as the cover image for their Christmas magazine edition by two of the small local churches close to where I live.
Steep is one of the two churches that sent out the above message. It dates back to the late Norman period, when England was ruled by King Stephen, brother of Henry de Blois, otherwise known as Henry of Winchester. The church was a chapel of ease under the great ecclesiastical manor of East Meon, which itself was under the patronage of Henry de Blois.
It was a period of time when there were effectively two rival courts in England, as King Stephen and King Henry I’s daughter Matilda fought for the throne of England. It was to be a bitter few years as loyalties switched from side to side. King Stephen’s reign brought to a close the rule of the House of Normandy in 1154, by which time All Saints Church Steep would have been complete.
Stroud is modern in comparison having been built as late as 1896.
I know it is still very early days, but as so many people have already written to me regarding my ever popular crop circle tours, I can now give you the dates. The first tour with an optional extra of the wonderful private entry evening visit to the Stonehenge when we are allowed right up to the stones, is on Tuesday 24th July. More about my tours
The second tour with the special and much loved optional extra of a flight over the circles and surrounding sacred sites is on Wednesday 1st August. For both tours, you will experience the wonder of the circles in a happy, friendly and relaxed way.
I also take a few private tours at different dates as requested.
Finally, as we are getting closer and closer to the final postage dates for goods to arrive in time for Christmas, please may I suggest and urge you to try and place your orders just as soon as you possibly can, especially as there has been a big rush on the calendars over the last few weeks.
I will be sending out orders promptly right up to the last posting. Although maybe not quite so fast as usual whilst my elder son from Sydney is staying with me. My younger son and his lovely family are remaining in Bangkok.
With my love and very best wishes,
Lucy