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... and glory shone around.

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[Inchkeith Lighthouse lens, National Museum of Scotland]

These bite-sized biscuits are the perfect make-ahead Christmas present. Not only do they look as impressive as the authentic German variety that you may have seen at the German Christmas Market, but they also get better over time and can even last up to two weeks in an airtight container.

The quarter teaspoon of black pepper in this recipe helps to intensify the flavour of the classic Christmas spices such as cinnamon, ginger and allspice without adding too much heat.

Union Gallery's latest exhibition – Winter Wonderland – is the artistic equivalent of a Christmas tin of Quality Street chocolates.

Some people will like certain items more than others. Some will feel certain items don't sit well with others and should be in a tin of their own. But all people will surely find something to enjoy in what is a uniformly stimulating selection of contemporary work.

Discussed here are a few of one reviewer's personal favourites. I'll come back to some others over the next few weeks.

THE Angel of the Lord came down ...

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[Mansfield Place delivery]

AND there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock ...

[Vicky Mount's 'A Scottish Field' – exhibited in Braewell Gallery, Dundas Street]

AND she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.

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[St Giles' Cathedral]

A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befel;
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam’s transgression hath wrapped us in:
Aye, and therefore be merry,
Rejoice and be you merry;
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus our Saviour was born on this tide.

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[Opening of Barony Street Community Garden]

Then were they constrained in a stable to lie,
Where horses and asses they used for to tie …

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[East Claremont Street Lane]

After reading the article about Real Foods and the issue of their signage, I would like to express my disgust (although not surprise) at the actions of the Planning Department of Edinburgh City Council, writes Philip Chisholm, a Spurtle reader currently in Denmark.

Dear Mr Rennie,

I am writing to you to complain in the most vigorous way regarding what appears to be a fait accompli regarding the planning application for 28 Howe Street.