Yesterday's post revealed something of the spiritual preparations for Christmas; today we take a look at some of the practicalities of these final days of Advent. A great deal of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that everything is ready. In the church itself, the aim is to keep the feel of Advent until the very last minute. There will be no flowers, no crib and no lights illuminated on the Christmas trees until after the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday. Then, in just three hours the whole Cathedral will be transformed, ready for the great feast of the Incarnation.
The crib figures have now found their way downstairs - with a little help from John and Eric - and will be kept out of sight until First Vespers of Christmas on Wednesday afternoon.
The flower ladies - Eileen, Trudy and Jane - have been busy preparing arrangements, though none will be put in place until the last minute.
Maurice, meanwhile, spent yesterday afternoon going up and down this ladder, putting lights on the Christmas trees. It turned out to be quite a task, but the result is worth seeing. You'll have to wait until Christmas, of course...
Yesterday's post revealed something of the spiritual preparations for Christmas; today we take a look at some of the practicalities of these final days of Advent. A great deal of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that everything is ready. In the church itself, the aim is to keep the feel of Advent until the very last minute. There will be no flowers, no crib and no lights illuminated on the Christmas trees until after the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday. Then, in just three hours the whole Cathedral will be transformed, ready for the great feast of the Incarnation.
The crib figures have now found their way downstairs - with a little help from John and Eric - and will be kept out of sight until First Vespers of Christmas on Wednesday afternoon.
The flower ladies - Eileen, Trudy and Jane - have been busy preparing arrangements, though none will be put in place until the last minute.
Maurice, meanwhile, spent yesterday afternoon going up and down this ladder, putting lights on the Christmas trees. It turned out to be quite a task, but the result is worth seeing. You'll have to wait until Christmas, of course...
