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It鈥檚 busy time for clergy and the added complication this year is that many find themselves isolating unable to lead services because of the dreaded positive test results. This week I was pressed into action to help out at local carol service who found themselves without a vicar. Making up for it though they did have a donkey. A real one. Now it took some persuading, and more than a few carrots to get her into the church, but once she was there she seemed to love being in the spotlight. Her human settled her in and before the service started the children took it in turns to come up and say hello, the donkey relishes every ear tickle. After an opening prayer, we began with 鈥極nce on royal David鈥檚 city鈥� and as is traditional the first verse was a solo. By the atmospheric glow of candlelight, the soloist delivered a beautiful, heart-warming performance and there wasn鈥檛 a dry eye in the church.听Just as the verse finished the donkey decided the attention had been off her for long enough, did what donkeys do in a great pile on the straw and let out the longest and loudest Eeyore I have ever heard. It made the stained glass shake. The whole church collapsed into a fit of roaring laughter. It was a wonderful moment to be part of.

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We can鈥檛 know if there was a donkey at the first Christmas, believe it or not, it actually doesn鈥檛 get a mention in the bible but what we do know from the story in the gospels is that the nativity is sprinkled with things going a little off plan. From surprising visits from celestial beings to no room at the inn. And of course, to a young woman unexpectedly pregnant with a unique baby.听

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There will be lots of unexpected interruptions to our Christmas this year more so than ever. We鈥檙e going to need to be prepared for surprises 鈥� good and bad - things not always working out as we hoped. Paul McCartney sings in Wonderful Christmas time 鈥榃e鈥檙e here tonight and that鈥檚 enough鈥� and it is, whatever we bring is enough to make Christmas planned and unplanned, whatever the day brings, food will still be eaten, gifts exchanged and friends and family connected with, even if it is via a computer screen. Despite everything, Christmas will still be Christmas in all its glorious beauty.听听I hope however yours works out you have a very Merry Christmas!

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