And what follows Christmas day in the English countryside? Why the Boxing Day fox hunt, of course! It may be outlawed, but nothing stops the men in red chasing their favourite prey.

Christmas has also become the new blood libel season, to be followed by another annual hunt. Camera (via Stand with Israel) has some slavering examples, in which the hounds of anti-semitism bark and howl and drool, working themselves up into a rage.

And after that, a new tradition is forming of some more men in red chasing their favourite prey - the Jewish State.

A bunch of Bishops is galloping over to Israel, accompanied by the usual pack of foxhounds.

This year, there will be bishops from Canada, England and Wales, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America. The Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union (ComECE). Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, Pax Christi International, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, the Pontifical Mission Society, Vatican Radio and the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation will also be represented.

Why am I reminded of Oscar Wilde's words?

The English country gentleman galloping after a fox - The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable.