Originally written December 24, 2009

It’s coming. It’s almost here. After a whole year of waiting, Christmas has come round to us once more–but not quite yet. This is the day, the eve of anticipation. We have been waiting and now the waiting is at fever pitch. It’s almost upon us. Christmas Day.

We are holding our breath. But as you hold your breath, hold on also to the waiting. For the waiting is precious, something unique. All too often we ignore the waiting, and let it torture us until we can’t take anymore. But the Anticipation is precious because soon (too soon for some) the Arrival will be upon us in a brief, wondrous instant…to have it all swept away by the After, and forgotten in a moment.

So hold Anticipation close while it is here. It is the longest and sometimes the best part of Christmas. As Christmas Eve Day gives way to Christmas Eve Itself, take a moment to savour the magic of the Just Before. The Anticipation. And when you wake with the dawn of Christmas Day, revel in the joy of Arrival, because it too is precious. Revel in Family and Friends and Fun.

Christmas is coming! Christmas will be here soon…

I hope and pray that this Christmas finds you safe and well, in the arms of those you love and who love you. May the spirit of the season continue to keep you going through 2011 and beyond.

***

“And it was always said of [Scrooge], that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that truly be said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”

***

“Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes

Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,

The bird of dawning singeth all night long;

And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad,

The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,

No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,

So hallowed and so gracious is the time.”

(Hamlet, I.i)