There were lots of people dressed up in town this morning. At Java & Co many of the guests had Father Christmas outfits – after the 5km Parkrun. There was also a dinasaur .

Outside Outdoor Traders, Batman and Robin were about to go back to the Bat Cave after their Christmas Eve cycle ride. Apparently there were a lot more super heroes earlier.

Today is a far more relaxed day than Frenzied Friday. People can now put up stockings by the fireside. Masons’ shop window has the ideal Christmas hearth.

Families will be going to Christmas Services this afternoon.

At Trinity we have the torchlight service at 4.30 pm when I will be dressing up as a wise man for about the sixth year in a row. There is also a Crib Service at St Michael’s at 3 pm, a Crib Service at St Nicolas at 4 pm, and a Christingle Service at St Helen’s at 4.30 pm.

Hand painted stones with images of the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes have been discovered by people at Abingdon sites over the last 3 or 4 days.

The mystery givers have put them there to spread the real meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas Lights round Abingdon in 2016 brighten up these dark nights. #

Places with more than your average number of lights are Medlicott Drive, Abingdon.

Ypres Way, Abingdon

and Saxton Road, Abingdon.

Here is a video of some of the many Christmas Lights in Abingdon I found cycling round this evening. Background music is ‘Oh Little Town of Bethlehem’ arranged by David Clifton with the choirs of Peterborough Cathedral from the Free Music Archive.

Yesterday we caught the X3 into Oxford and, among other things, walked through the Covered Market where Hedges’ posters advertise the geese and turkeys – supplied by Peachcroft Farm for over 75 years.

Turkeys and geese could be seen above the shop.

Hedges in Abingdon also have the same posters – alongside blackboards telling passers-by of the meats on offer.

There is no display of turkeys and geese above the shop window,. There is not even a shop window. Hedges delivery vans operate from here, but there is a door welcoming customers.

Not far away on the Market Place Mistletoe was hung out on the plant stall. Another of the ingredients for Christmas.
…
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
…
From Nat King Cole’s – The Christmas Song.