Hibernate

Courtyard crib

It rained most of yesterday afternoon and again in the night, and though it was 8 degrees it felt much colder. Today it's slightly drizzly but very overcast and cold. I'm feeling very lethargic ... like I should hibernate. Anyway the cold is giving me a headache. I have to cover it with a beanie. And my greatest fear is slipping on the wet pavement stones in the streets. There's no way escaping those ubiquitous stones except by car or tuktuk.

Christmas is in 3 days. But there's little public display of festivities. No public banners or lights or Christmas trees. Most are in private spaces so as not to offend the tragedy around us. We have our annual crib ... life size ... set up in our inner courtyard away from public eyes. It's a-lot more simple than previous years.

I've organized a vigil Mass at Shepherds Field on Dec 24 night ... because no Masses are allowed in the Nativity Basilica except the Midnight Mass presided by the patriarch. Status Quo rules. All other Masses are celebrated in Shepherds Field. This year we have to present a list of those going there to the police who will co-ordinate our entry and exit from Bethlehem. The war has changed the dynamics even of religious feasts.