Happy Christmas!
I have chosen to spend Christmas away.  At the end of such a busy term, I need some time of rest and quiet before I feel fit to tackle that challenges the new year will bring - and this may be the last "quiet" Christmas I have for along time!

Yesterday I attended the Christmas Service at a church in Nottingham.  I was one of a congregation of 14 six of whom were clearly visitors and  not regular church goers.  It was a quiet service with a great sermon and the congregation were friendly but I'm struck by the difference between the response of those shepherds on that first Christmas and our response today.  The shepherds wanted to share the good news with everyone

        "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been
          told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
          shepherds said to them"                                               Luke 2:17 NIV

I can't help wondering how different our Christmas services might be if were full of the same enthusiasm?

More like this perhaps?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE