The day has arrived, yep its the day upon which I usually get my annual dose of god bothering. You see each year I usually go to the local Carols on the mountain up at the Mount Mee show-grounds. But its raining here at present and they predict that this weather may well continue all day and that it may even intensify into a heavy rain this evening.

It will be a shame if it is washed out because its one of those events that brings the local community up here on the mountain together, we say our ‘hail fellow well met(s)” and share  mutual acknowledgement and the sort of trivialities that are the communal glue of any society. I will also be a shame for our children who enjoy the theatre of the event and even for unbelievers like me there will be the disappointment of not having an opportunity to explain to my son that there are some admirable aspects to the Christian template for a good society once you strip away the supernatural nonsense and undeliverable promises of an afterlife of eternal adoration and  servitude  to the deity. What is not to like about kindness to our fellows, forgiveness to those who wrong us, honesty and respect to others? Mostly though I just like Christmas with its feasting and gift giving to those who we love. I also love the conceits and theatre of the festival. For instance I just adore the patter with my son when I talk about what Santa may be bringing him this year.

“There is no Santa dad” my boy tells me every time and I always pretend to be shocked at his statement.

“Of course there is” I repeatedly insist even though I know he is not buying it.

“We all know that its you who buys the presents” he shoots back with one of those grins that melts my heart

Which of course leads into some far from subtle hints about just what those presents should be.

Mean while my lovely daughter points out that my Ebay search list has a new category that is consistent with her own hearts desire and I just smile…

Cheers Comrades