The Saturday Before Christmas

The photograph shows the manger scene at our local parish, St Peter Chanel. Well, not "local" precisely. Let us say "local" in that it is the closest parish to The Inn at which Catholic doctrine will still be preached. I was out practicing in the park for a while this afternoon (the lip still needs to be kept in shape and the reeds can't be allowed to dry up even in the Christmas season.) The park was almost empty on this quite pleasant December day. . .two or three dog-walkers and three black fellows keeping their baseball skills intact over on one of the ball diamonds. So no one came over to talk and I got in a fairly good practice, including a few of the Christmas carols that fit the pipe scale.

And then I made a little visit to St Peter's to say Vespers. Christmas confessions were going on in the back so I could sneak a snapshot of the manger without disturbing anyone. (Yes, you're right: the Baby Jesus is missing. The picture was taken on the 23d. Give us another day or so. . . .)