All is calm, all is bright - 'it don't matter what they say!'

All was calm, all was bright for Christmas in Orkney this year.

The sea was still, and mirrored the sky above.

The storms of the previous weeks,

one of which had reached 80 mph,

had run their course.

Nature was holding its breath in holy expectation.

Angels and Archangels

may have gathered there

Cheribum and Seraphim

Thronged the air.

The Holy Gospel of Midnight Mass is sung.

Christ is Born in Bethlehem.

The Stronsay Christmas crib
High Mass of the Day
Et Verbum caro factum est.
Venite, adoremus,
Venite, adoremus,
Venite, adoremus Dominum.
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb.
Very God,
Begotten, not created.
Flos de radice Jesse
Hath blossomed forth today;
Rejoice ye Christian people
In song and tuneful lay;
Sweet Mary is the stem,
And Jesus is the Rose-bud,
The Babe of Bethlehem.

The Holy Mass was especially offered for

our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI

our Parents, Brothers and Sisters and relations

Our faithful friends and

those who during the year have stopped walking with us;

for our critics and enemies too....

May the sweet Babe of Bethlehem

give to each and to all

His grace and friendship in this world

and eternal happiness in the next.

New Year's Eve
all still calm, all still bright:
Happy New Year!