EDITORIAL

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLIER … AND EARLIER

The John Lewis Partnership launched its Christmas season nationwide on 24 September, not that the Partnership was alone on the High Street in foreshortening time, reaching for one seasonal promotion after another at an ever-increasing pace and decking its halls long before summertime ended with boughs of holly. At this point perhaps I should simply cut to the chase and wish everyone a Happy Easter. As things are going, we’re obviously going to see Easter Eggs in the shops before this issue of PP hits the pews.

It’s with this issue that we enter Advent, a time when we Christians don’t rush pell-mell to concertina the time ahead. It’s now that we take sure and steady steps towards remembering and celebrating the birth of a baby boy, Jesus.

We also remember and can also celebrate that 75 yrs ago on 17 November a baby boy was born to Christopher Hollis, author and parliamentarian, and Madeleine Hollis (née King). 75 yrs later that child, Roger Crispian Hollis, known to us all as Bishop Crispian, reaches the age in the Catholic hierarchy at which bishops retire. But retirement for Bishop Crispian will not come until his successor is named and appointed. However, that in no way detracts from the fact that now is the time to wish our Bishop - as well as any reader who has celebrated a birthday in the last twelve months - a Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns.

This is truly an issue of PP which abounds in good wishes as all involved with the content, publication and distribution of PP join in wishing one and all a rewarding and suitably paced journey throughout Advent towards a Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Pax et bonum!