Under your nose

I went to a Christmas carol service on Saturday in Lichfield cathedral. Not through any great sense of religious conviction, but just because it’s a nice thing to do at this time of year. And the carols – sung by bright young things with hopeful faces – were great.

Unfortunately the trendy canon (I think that’s the right term) didn’t quite hit the mark. He gave a short talk about the pressures of shopping, inappropriate presents, the Copenhagen summit and even Greek Gods. But he didn’t once mention what I sort of assumed Christmas is actually supposed to be about, which is … well, the Christmas story.

I came away humming Silent Night happily enough, but amazed at how easy it is to miss the really obvious big story, even when it’s right under your nose.

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