Saddam Verdict

Saddam Hussein is to be denied his final wish of an "honourable" death by military firing squad after the Iraqui court announced a guilty verdict today for "crimes against humanity" and the sentence that he should face the gallows as a common criminal. If, after a process of appeal, the sentence is carried out there will be a question over what happens to his body. He may have to be buried in secret at an unmarked desert spot to prevent his grave becoming a shrine for supporters.

I record the above without comment as the dominant news of this "4th Sunday before Advent" as the Church of England calls today. Bonfires and fireworks may be lightening up the sky all around but with Guy Fawke's ashes barely cold the Christmas lights will be switched on in Regent Street on Tuesday and the Royal Mail's Christmas stamps go on sale. Amid all the comercial and popular build up to the coming festive season we shall have to exercise some determined mind control if we are not to miss out on the spiritual energy provided by the pre penitential, and the penitential, weeks that rightly preceed the feast in the Christian calendar.