Christmas, 7 January 2011

Christmas here begins when the first star is looked for, and someone at the window announces it with more confidence than the sky deserves.

Then the table. Twelve dishes, kutia first, and a long meal that nobody hurries. Carollers come later, and are given something at the door whether or not anyone recognises them.

I have been a guest at this table often enough to know my part in it, which is small and mostly consists of holding a plate at the right moment.

To everyone marking the day: Christ is born. May the table be full and the company be the one you wanted.