A Cathedral Christmas Tradition

I am sorry that I have not blogged for a while, but as a full time carer my time is currently taken elsewhere.  Today, however, I was able to go to the cathedral for a few moments to see the Lilies for Christmas Remembrance.  Each year we pay a small sum of money towards sponsoring arrangements of beautiful, white lilies that adorn the cathedral in memory of loved ones departed.  Sadly, the lists are getting longer as more of our loved ones go on ahead to wait for us to join them.  This is the photo of the arrangement where the names of my family are listed.  My lovely Daddy, four Grandparents, my baby Aunt who died at just 4 months old, and my beautiful Springer Spaniel Gwen are all remembered here.  Yes, many of us also remember our beloved pets with lilies too.

The Nave is so magical at Christmas, with some of the many arrangements of Lilies for Remembrance, the Nativity, where in the Processional Carol at Midnight Mass the infant Jesus is carried to the manger, and also the organ loft decorated with such magical blue sparkling trees.

A close up of the Nativity which sits underneath the organ loft at the feet of  a statue of David, Patron Saint of Wales

while in the wings, the Magi or Three Wise Men wait to replace the Shepherds at Epiphany in January. 

The figures that make up this Nativity are the ones I remember seeing in the Cathedral each Christmas since I was a small child.  My Grandfather was the Verger and Caretaker at the Cathedral.  I wonder if these are the same figures he brought out each year at Christmas all those decades past . . .

 I hope your Christmas was peaceful and blessed and that 2012 brings you good health and happiness and all you wishes come true.