Yuletide Clambake

 

For years now my family has celebrated Christmas on the 26th, or Boxing Day, the 2nd Day of Christmas. This way, we’ve finished the melee of other gatherings of the season (more relevant when it’s not 2020, but still comfortably after the rush). Christmas Day is a quiet day usually with just my parents. We rest and rejoice and prepare for the next day. Then the rest of the siblings pile in that night and the next morning. On Boxing Day (also St Stephen’s Day), we get up and get festive. Bake ham and caramel rolls, pull out the myriad of goodies I’ve been stashing, make eggs and sausage, coffee and tea... we may or may not spike our cranberry juice... and fall to on Christmas brunch as soon as we can congregate.

 

We attempt a few sibling snaps, and a family photo. Can we ever collect all the children? And then head to presents.

This is auntie’s little Ninja

My parentals in their natural habitat

Three games going at once...

And naps

And mulled wine

And football

And old movies

And cider

And books

More gingerbread

The Bells of Dublin

Join me at the table
Join me in a feast
Every table laid in faith
Is victory released
Did you know it is a battle-cry
To come in joy to eat?
Each time we laugh at doubt
We sing the enemy’s defeat

Light the torches now
And sabotage the fears
Lift your broken voice
Amid the tears
Defy condemnation
And cut down the lies
Let’s celebrate who’s winning
I’ve brought supplies

Spice the wine
And lift your weary head
Aslan’s on the move
The dragon’s power is dead
The curse has been broken
And hope will advance
Shout your assurance
In the freedom of dance

This is our defiance
To every shadow
We celebrate tonight
And rejoice tomorrow
Wage a war with me
Come sit near
Our feasting spells the truth
That love is here

So welcome friends,
To heart and board
Enjoy the abundance
Rejoice in the Lord
Pass the bread
Feel free to sing
And raise a glass
To our returning King