Inappropriate Explosions

The Christingles at Christ Church went very well.  Both the total number at the three services was up as was the collection for the Children's Society. I lead the last service and didn't manage to set anything alight, except the candle - which I was supposed to do.  At the 'midnight' I was serving at communion.  It is always a surprise to see people at that service that I have never seen before. Then there are the family traditions that still survive, even though the children are all in their twenties.  One present is opened after midnight communion and before bed.
When the children were young, it stopped them getting up too early.  This morning none of them were up early, except perhaps me, but not that early. 
The morning started well, and went down hill from there.  I took Brody for a quick walk.  He didn't really want to come home, but didn't cause me a problem.  Then we left for church.  Arriving about ten minutes before the start, I was instantly reminded that I hadn't bought the laptop - with the songs on.  A quick drive back home to grab the PC and back to church.  Only the first two songs were missed, and they were both in the books.
Worse was to come.
The Christmas day service is billed as "Jesus' birthday Party".  There are balloons in the church just for this service.  There are party poppers for the end of the great celebration.  I raced into church, found my family, and sat in the middle of a row.  That is never a good idea.  We have heaters on the walls like electric fire, and my head soon overheats.  In plenty of time for the novelty sermon - a re-telling of the Christmas story called "A Sweet Christmas" mentioning every sweet you can think of, and a few biscuits as well. On the floor next to my chair was a party popper in pieces.  I picked it up and fiddled with it.  I was still fiddling as we started the Eucharistic prayer.  Then BANG!  I hadn't realised it was loaded.  Some people blamed the children nearby.  Jo pretended she wasn't with me. Karen whispered, "was that YOU?" A few adults around stifled a laugh.

The service went on. 

I had tried to disrupt it (unintentionally) and failed.

Back home for lunch. That's when the traditions started to break dome.  Our Christmas lunch is usually on Boxing Day, as we are off somewhere else on Christmas Day.  The lunch was prepared by Karen and Liz, mainly.  They did a very good job.

Then we opened presents.  Another break with tradition, but this time so that Liz can visit her boyfriend tomorrow. 

Here's Brody enjoying his first Christmas with us.  Dog presents are a tradition from my childhood that we have added to our traditions this year.