A Pause in Advent

Two posts in one day .... my goodness I can't remember a time when that's happened before!

So, here comes December .... the last month in a year full of ups and downs in the P.P. household. 

I'm joining again up with Floss at Troc, Broc and Recup to take a pause in Advent. She is encouraging us to stop and reflect each Sunday in Advent and take a break from the busy-ness of the weeks before Christmas, and to share our thoughts.

I thought I'd share something that we stumbled across the other evening.

We were in Liverpool City Centre after work, not shopping, just looking at the Christmas lights...

There's a little Christmas Market in Church Street .... full of tasty treats

and pretty stalls selling crafty things

There are giant nutcrackers in all sorts of places

As the skies darkened the Christmas lights twinkled over our heads.

There's a stunning tree covered in blue and green lights.

St. John's Tower stands high above the shoppers, with a Santa scaling the walls.

And a pair of the most enormous reindeer you could imagine ....

We remarked on how busy town seemed to be for a Wednesday, and wasn't it lovely to see so many families out enjoying the lights too. As we headed back to the car, we noticed that there was a very, very long queue snaking back through the new shopping area. That part of town was at a standstill.

What was going on? 

Was there a performance maybe?

A parade perhaps?

Was Santa in town?

No! 

It turned out that people had been waiting hours to see ...

..... a .... big .....red ..... lorry

And we wondered, sadly, when worship of the corporate giant, Coca Cola, had become a Christmas tradition.

This year we have an advent wreath at home .... we'll light the first candle tonight as we eat our meal.

The first candle stands for hope.

After all the worries and concerns we've had to face over the last twelve months, things seem to be settling down at last and we're hoping for a nice calm Christmas spent with our family.... with every one in good health!