Christmas?

This weekend's adventure wasn't meant to be an adventure. I just thought I'd get more into the swing of Christmas. There were no finals this year to mark when I should start feeling Christmassy or decorations hung with care to bring the festive feeling. So when I saw the Family Carol Concert being advertised, I was just sure it would bring all the magical Christmas festivity I had been missing - and being held in the Minster - well I thought my plan was fail-proof.

Wrong again.

See as it turns out, over here in England, Christmas carols when just the words are printed in the bulletin may appear to be the same song. But, my fellow Americans, don't let that trick you. For the first time since I was a wee little girl, I couldn't join in with the sing along parts of the concert (and even as a kid I don't really remember not knowing the songs). O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear ... all different tunes, same words. Luckily God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen and O Come, All Ye Faithful were the same. And throw in one I had never even heard of - and that brought the total to a grand two out of six that I could sing with confidence.

So I left feeling very un-christmassy and a little defeated. (What idiot can't sing along to Christmas Carols! Even the five-year-olds in the audience were doing better than me).

Even the five-year-olds...