
Within a rustic framework sits a family consisting of a couple, their children (two with their spouses) and grandchildren, with the adults toasting the viewer.
The youngsters are tucking into the food and drink with a will, but the family aren’t forgetting their charitable duties: in the adjacent side panels individuals who are hungry and destitute are being attended to by the servants and given food and warm clothing.
In a year not quite like any other in living memory Christmas will inevitably be rather different than usual. Whether socially isolating or maintaining social distancing let those of us who are more advantaged be more like that family from nearly two centuries ago: they remembered the less advantaged even as they wished their friends A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I will try to do likewise.

Merry Christmas from a new follower who only recently discovered your blog!
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And to you, Ulrike, I’ve now followed you back as I enjoy a good natter about things both literary and general!
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Thanks for following back — here‘s to lively conversations in 2021!
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😊
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Merry Christmas Chris. All the best for 2021.
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Amen to that, Annabel, may next year not be as, um, interesting as this!
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A wonderfully appropriate message for Christmas 2020!
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I did hope so, JJ — I wish you all the best the season has to offer!
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And to you too, Calmgrove! Looking forward to exploring new literary avenues under your aegis in 2021!
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Thank you! Books are the best, aren’t they? 🙂
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Merry Christmas to you too. Hope everyone bears this picture’s message in mind!
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Thanks Mallika, this is my message too: Take care. Stay safe. Be kind.
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And calm too, I guess. Tempers flaring all over the place (though unfortunately a lot of the anger is justified).
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As Calmgrove I’m all for more calm! 🙂
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Merry Christmas! May we hug our relatives and friends safely in 2021.
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Oh yes please! Until then there’s Zoom… Merry Christmas to you and HoB.
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Lovely! Happy Christmas to you and yours!
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Thank you, Karen. And happy reading in 2021!
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Merry Christmas and many wishes for a far better 2021 than this year has been! 🙂
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I think we all fervently wish for that! All the best to you too. 😊
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Merry Christmas, Chris. I love the postcard! Something for us all to keep in mind.
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Isn’t it great? I noticed it also got a mention on one of the questions set on a recent University Challenge — I found myself shouting in disbelief at the TV when some of the celebrity alumni couldn’t get many of the general knowledge questions right, but at least someone correctly identified this, the first Christmas card. Phew!
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Thank you for these wise and moving words, Chris. Merry Christmas, despite all the limitations we face this year, and all the best in 2021!
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Thanks, Piotrek, and Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia in return! I hope you and yours are staying safe, whatever the provocations and limitations, and that for you too 2021 will prove more optimistic.
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Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, and best wishes to you too for this season of goodwill!
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Thanks for the reminder of the true spirit of Christmas. May we keep it in mind all year long!
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We see compassion as a strength, not a weakness, don’t we: I really do think that being kind to those that need and deserve it is a litmus test for what sort of a human being one is.
That doesn’t of course mean we shouldn’t attach blame where it’s due — sadly there’s a lot of it due; I’m often mindful that pax hominibus bonae voluntatis is too often mistranslated as ‘Peace and goodwill to all men’ when it should be ‘Peace to those of goodwill’.
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God Jul Chris!
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Tack så mycket, Johanna, and God Jul to you too!
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I hope you had a lovely Christmas. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog posts in 2021 🙂🙂
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Thanks, Nicola, and I hope you did too! The two of us had a quiet day, having had our big meal on Christmas Eve and relying on electronic devices to keep in touch with family. Happy Blogging New Year!
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Glad to hear that.
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This kind of card certainly captures the spirit of Christmas Dickens shared that same year, doesn’t it? Now to follow the advice of the giant Ghost of Christmas Present from the Muppet Christmas Carol (or Bill Murray from the film Scrooged, I suppose): to make this spirit live all year.
A blessed New Year to you!
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Thanks, Jean, and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda to you and yours—may 2021 bring us all more hope and cheer than seems to have been in supply this year.
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Wishing you and the family a peaceful and healthy 2021, Chris 😊
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Thanks, Sandra, and you too. I’ve missed you here the last few months and hope that nothing’s amiss—apart from the general anxiety we all have!
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Sadly, like many others, we have covid in the family Chris and a slew of challenges alongside it. One day at a time at the moment. This too shall pass, but possibly not any time soon. Take care and stay safe 🙂
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So sorry to hear that, Sandra, I suspected it might be something like that. I hope things will ease up soon for all of you.
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