The temperature was minus four when I woke up this morning, and there was a layer of low lying cloud of freezing fog over the city until early afternoon, when the temperature lifted to two degrees. The conditions reminded me of Novembers in Geneva, when low lying cloud would obscure the sky for weeks on end with sub-zero temperatures at lakeside level. We had to drive up a thousand metres to the Jura plateau to see blue sky and get some sunshine.
I had an email to say that the Arabic New Testament I ordered is due to be delivered today, which is very awkward as we are both out at Christmas Fayres most of the time, and there's no indication as to when it will arrive. All I have is a tracking number with options to change delivery address, but whether this will take effect once the delivery van is on the road is anybody's guess. We're at the mercy of yet another company in the parcel business, about which we know little.
After breakfast, I made my way over to St German's by bus and on foot to attend their Christmas Fayre. It was a good occasion, giving me a chance to chat with congregation members and Fr Stewart. Basma came before I left and I was able to share good news about the Good News Bible in Arabic hoping it'll arrive in time for tomorrow's Mass.
I learned that her university degree was in Fine Arts, specialising in ceramics. Immediately I thought of introducing her to Martin and his collection of Japanese pots, something I can arrange with her in future. Having a specialist competence could possibly open a path for her in the world artifact conservation. She has yet to discover the National Museum of Wales and its ceramic collection. Needless to say her mind has been elsewhere in recent years.
I reached home in time for lunch, and then just after two, the Arabic New Testament was slipped through the door by a courier. So pleased it's come. We can present it to her at Mass in St German's tomorrow morning. I'm thrilled to have been able to arrange this at such a key moment in her journey to baptism.
Having received the awaited parcel, we were free to go to St Catherine's Christmas Fayre, drink mulled wine and chat with people for an hour. Then I popped down to Tescos to buy Clare some flowers and myself a weekend bottle of wine. The air temperature was dropping back below zero and it was dark by half past four as I walked home. Three weeks to the shortest day already!
Israel has pulled out of negotiations with Hamas over further humanitarian pauses, intent of pressing on with its assault. Nearly 200 have been killed since shelling and bombing resumed. No aid deliveries and still no discussion about what happens after the fighting stops. Heartless and foolish.
I spent the evening after supper on revising the draft letter of support for Basma's asylum tribunal lawyer, finishing my sermon and printing copies. It's Advent Sunday tomorrow and the countdown to Christmas begins in earnest.\
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