Bah Humbug! It's December, again - 5 more days to go

Only 5 days to go? And the last Sunday of Advent ...

Bah and double Bah Humbug. Now we are down to the last five days. I need a Christmas pudding to feed more than one person and will have to plan what I am to do about vegetables. Do I buy them now and risk them going floppy, or do I risk not finding them in the market or supermarket when I go shopping the day before?

Whatever, this whole Christmas lunch thingummy-whatsit, is turning my brain into a vegetable.

As the last Sunday before Christmas, the question on many consumers' minds will be - church, shopping or having a quiet afternoon in. Living in Singapore, the shops always seem to be open, and weekends are especially painful as everyone goes shopping, or shopping to look around.

Will the shops be open in the UK? most probably, since not everyone panicked yesterday on Panic Saturday.

So, now we have adopted Black Friday - which really always makes me think of something evil - which it is, because it is a demonstration of sheer greed and consumerism. We have Panic Saturday - the first time I have heard that term - BBC where do you find these things?

And, today, is the last Sunday before Christmas, the fourth Sunday in Advent. Which, for those celebrating Christmas in the true spirit of it's Christian (rather than pagan) intentions, it is time to light the fourth Advent candle. The one for St John the Baptist.

The fifth and final candle, located in the middle of the Advent crown, is lit on Christmas Day, to represent Jesus. Although, if you live in Germany, you'll be lighting that one on Christmas Eve.

Advent is a month of reflection, leading up to Christmas Day and was first followed in Spain around 380AD. Advent then moved to France as a pre-Christmas fast and by the end of 6th Century is was widespread throughout Europe. Another man-made celebration of faith.

But, whatever your religion or faith, whatever your belief, Christmas is the culmination of the year past. It is a time of reflection, giving and being kind to others.

Bah Humbug.

DOWN THE CHIMNEY ©

Mum shook her head, ‘With Santa stuck,

A huge lunch would surely suck,

‘I thought we’d have a healthy day,

Without the tooth decay.’

‘But, Mum,’ I gave a heartfelt sob,

‘Some fruit will never do the job.

‘Besides I asked for a new robot,

He can’t have just forgot?’