December 2020 Cryptic Crossword – Compiled by Peter Chamberlain

Across 

1 ‘This --babe was born’, (carol) (7) 

5 ‘Of the --love begotten’, (carol) (7) 

9 Sung novel? (1,9,5) 

10 Quietly having another quiet card game (6) 

11 Headdress, it was returned to an academician (5) 

14 Leaving the book (6) 

15 ‘----ever-1 across morn’, (carol) (4,4) 

18 One new science the study of wines (8) 

19 The day before Kelly made it level (6) 

2 1 ‘Isles of the --ern seas’, (Advent hymn) (5) 

23 ‘--, Hosanna in excelsis (carol) (6) 

26 Where a lowly cattle shed stood once (5,6,4) 

27 ‘See amid the --snow’, (carol) (7) 

28 ‘To you and all --’, (carol) (7)

Down 

1 Dickens accepted article from Ruth’s husband! (4) 

2 Repetition of sound from screech owl (4) 

3 Song that’s immaterial (9) 

4 It is not taken by one going straight (6) 

5 Dates Fay organised for festival (5-3) 

6 Understood Italian leader involved in skill and sensitivity when dealing with others (5) 

7 Lengthy scolding for bargain he’s arranged! (10) 8 Amusing lad prepared mince dish (10) 

12 ‘See Him lying on a ------’, (carol) (3,2,5) 

13 Author Jonah with bunny performing (4,6) 

16 Cohabit having 51 vines cultivated at home (4,2,3) 

17 Encourage good girl having timer (3,5) 

20 Power and hatred from platform (6) 

22 Have to include first lieutenant in split (5) 

24 Internet facility with information found inside initially (2-2) 

25 Designated driver initially accepted you had changed colour (4)

There is no prize draw this month and the Crosswords are just for fun.

Solution to November 2020 Crossword 

ACROSS: 1 Come down; 5 Elijah; 9 Refinery; 10 Stubbs; 11 Soldered; 14 Zealot; 15 Lineker; 16 Batten; 19 Stiffen; 20 Joshua; 21 Schemed; 26 Cravat; 27 Drearier; 28 Insane; 29 Deanship; 30 Gung-ho; 31 Anglican. 

DOWN: 1 Christ; 2 Muffle; 3 Daniel; 4 Warden; 6 Lutheran; 7 Jubilate; 8 Hesitant; 12 Riot Act; 13 Deified; 14 Zebedee; 17 Ejecting; 18 Assassin; 19 Susannah; 22 Mr Bean; 23 Darnel; 24 Lithic; 25 Trepan.

Solution to November 2020 Cryptic Crossword 

ACROSS: 1 Crusader; 9 Emmanuel; 10 Asti; 11 Resurrection; 13 Unction; 15 Miracle; 16 Naval; 17 Begat; 18 Islet; 20 Amish; 22 Salieri; 23 Telexed; 25 Very Reverend; 27 Ezra; 28 Oblation; 29 Exciting. 

DOWN: 2 Response; 3 Spirituality; 4 Dalston; 5 Rearm; 6 Imperil; 7 Sufi; 8 Plangent; 12 Transcendent; 14 Naomi; 15 Mayst; 17 Bass viol; 19 Electron; 20 Armenia; 21 Heretic; 24 Seine; 26 Roll.