Scrooge and Bap Cratchit with smoking bishop
“We will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!” (from Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’)
Our Christian community at St Chrysostom’s came together and celebrated Epiphany mass together, lovely crosses were given out, and we prayed for God’s blessing on our homes.
In the evening we had a beautiful act of worship – Benediction, in the stillness and subdued light of the evening. Then it was time to gather at our traditional Epiphany party for three kings cake, and to chat together over a ‘Christmas bowl of smoking bishop.’
Using Eliza Atkin’s recipe from her Modern Cookery of 1845, Fr Ian had prepared a steaming bowl of smoking bishop (a form of mulled port) to compliment the three kings cakes Mark and Valerie had baked. What more was there to do than sing The Twelve Days of Christmas together and have a go at Alan’s quiz?
Our smoking bishop next to 3 Kings cakes
This question proved to be the deciding one: In which country is the Epiphany a public holiday? a) Mexico b) Austria or c) The Phillipines. What do you think is the answer?
A lovely way to celebrate Epiphany, and a lovely day of blessing to start the year. The churchwardens offered a toast for the whole congregation, saying as Tiny Tim observed, “God Bless Us, Every One!”
St Chrysostom's Church News and Views 
Interesting blog but ‘what is a Smoking Bishop?’ do let us know. It is a Public holiday here in Italy where we live. The Three Wise Men set off from the Palazzo Strozzi (three real men on real horses) in Florence and deliver their gifts to the Presepe or nativity scene. The Presepe are very popular in Italy with every church and square displaying their own version!!
Your in Christ
Darren
There’s a link at the end of the blog entry giving full details of Smoking Bishop, and a recipe. Best wishes, Darren.