Independent on Sunday 1036 by Quixote – 20 Dec 2009

Puzzle with many seasonal references, solving time, 21 mins.

* = anagram   < = reversed

ACROSS

1  STABLE    Double definition, ref Nativity

4 HAMPER   Double definition

10 DRA (PER) Y     rep<

11 EM (P TIE)S

12 TREE    Hidden

13 THE A TRI(C)AL

15/18 O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM   anagram of first six words in clue

23 PRO  (Phil) SPECTOR

24 TRIO   cf trip  ref Three Wise Men

26 O B  SCENE

27 PA (TRIO)T

28 T(o)UR KEY     Seasonal reference

29 MAN(a)GER    ditto

DOWN

1 S EDITION

2 A C (ADEMI) C    (aimed)*

3 LI(v)ES

5 AP (PARENT)LY    (play)*

6 PR IN CE   CHAR MING

7 RUSTLE   (result)*

8 LYCHEE     Hidden

9 LE (GAT)O

14 ATMOSPHERE   (hearts poem)*

17 I’M POST OR

19 BACK ER   re<

20 TROOPS    hidden <

21 SPROUT    (stupor)*

22 DO (SS) ER

25 ET(N)A