"Christmas In The Grand Tradition"

River City-folk and expats, having found this after years of longing – and, indeed, griping – no words are necessary, especially as none could suffice....



Friends, Gang, Church, Christus Natus est pro nobis, venite adoremus! To each of you, your loved ones, and all those you serve, every wish for a peaceful, joyous, Blessed and Merry Christmas; may you know every grace and gift of the Holy Night and these days ahead throughout the year to come and always.

In Francis' first turn at the Mass of Christmas Night as Bishop of Rome, the Eve liturgy in St Peter's begins at 2130 Rome time (2030 GMT, 3.30pm Eastern, 12.30 Pacific) Tuesday. See you then. For now, though, with the shortest day of the year upon us, already, the light begins to break....


(Text/translation)

And, well, when it comes to "grand traditions" and a "holiday greeting card" from these parts, we'd be remiss to not yield the sign-off where, even now, it rightly belongs: to the beloved father, brother and friend to so many of us, who went on from this place to become the world's "Voice of Christmas" for 26 brilliant years....


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