Pope Francis said, ‘the Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas.’ The church of Our Lady and St Edmund of Abingdon has a new exterior crèche. The simplicity of the familiar scene has attracted admirers.

It shows the birth of Jesus, with Mary and Joseph, in a stable overflowing with straw, surrounded by shepherds, wise men, and animals.

The Christmas postbox topper on the Market Place has Father Chrismas and Rudolph.

At Tesco, the Christmas topper has a snowman and hedgehogs.

I have not seen a topper in the Co-op yet, but there was a notice saying, ‘Post Box full’. There were also large lunchtime queues at the post office itself. Allow plenty of time for posting this year.

The shops have had them up for some time now. This picture showed Fabulous Flowers two weeks ago.

We put up the decorations three days ago at Preston Road Community Centre.

We put up the tree in Trinity Church today. That tree, bought in a sale in February about six years ago, paid for itself within two years. And it is easier than trying to hack the trunk of a real tree.

Just home left to do.

The across-street and lamppost lights in the town centre have changed this year.

Previously they were a mix of colours; the new ones are bluey white and more energy efficient.

The candle lights around the Market Place and curtain lights inside the museum remain unchanged. They are all organised by the town council out of council taxes.

The Bury Street lights are provided by the Bury Street Shopping Centre.