In Sweden, young woman with surreal wreath of flaming candles in her hair, commemorates St Lucy, patron saint of blindness, who carried food to the persecuted, wearing just such a wreath to light her way. Nowadays, they’d use battery-powered lights! (Carl Larsson, 1908)

'For I am every dead thing, In whom Love wrought new alchemy' (Donne, Nocturnal upon St. Lucy's Day) Candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for #StLucysDay traditionally the darkest day of the year.

Diane Reeves Candlelight Carol by John Rutter. It's my favourite carol. Candlelight Carol - John Rutter, The Cambridge Singers, City of London S... youtube.com/watch?v=MbudPR…

First cup of tea: morning’s lighthouse beam sweeps across my mind’s harbour.

Memorial of Saint Lucy 😇 Virgin martyr killed in the persecution of Diocletian (d.304) Image Saint Lucy by Niccolò di Segna, c. 1340 via Wikipedia

Why do MPs lie like this? Even your GP cannot declare you unfit for work for more than a few weeks. After that you are subjected to a ridiculously strict DWP assessment which declares many fit for work...even when they truly are not.

These are powerful words from Father Michael Pfleger. Don’t forget to subscribe: dworkinsubstack.com/subscribe

A Religious Sister of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa in Santa Rosa, California holding a lit candle in a translucent holder while kneeling in a church or chapel. Photo from the Sisters' Facebook page at facebook.com/permalink.php?….

A steady and careful walk today after my interventional radiology procedure. The new feeding tube is working well, and there is no NG tube or chest drain to contend with. I have my immunotherapy treatment on Monday, so a couple of days rest before going back to hospital.

Best Christmas Pub Decorations in London. For the ultimate festive London Christmas pub experience, The Churchill Arms in Kensington Church Street  wins for jaw-dropping decorations (trees, lights!).

O Lord, grant us a quiet night and a peaceful end. #Compline

Amen.

Yup. Poles are fleeing Britain - chiefly because of the mad Brexit vote agitated for so aggressively by you!!! You’ve ruined Britain. And thé Polish people, who have always loved the UK, are now fleeing from a boat that is sinking because of you.

As night settles, a reading from my studio — turning the page to ‘Woodland Parcels’ in Natures Advent Calendar ~ a wild fairytale. Tiny wrapped gifts tell a story of care, patience, and attention — where parcels are promises, and wonder is gathered gently from the wild.

14 Dec: Greek myth tells of Ceyx and Alcyone, two lovers separated by death but reunited as halcyons, kingfisher-like birds by the gods. The seven days before and after the #WinterSolstice were Halcyon Days, when the sea was kept calm as Alcyone sat upon her nest. #FolkloreSunday

Third Sunday in Advent

The RIG insertion post-procedure is very painful, so I'm not ready for my country hikes yet. But I'll get there. Progress doesn’t always wear walking boots - healing is the hike you don’t post.

I’m sure you will soon get there, John. Things are definitely improving and it will take a while to recover from the procedure.

I knew about Halcyon being the kingfisher’s other name The lovely story behind it was entirely new to me. Thank you..

Andrew McAlister It really is a beautiful story to learn about! 💙🧡