Sir Godfrey Gregg

We often focus on the climax of Christmas Day, but there is a unique and beautiful magic in the anticipation. The waiting itself is a gift. It’s in the slow opening of an Advent calendar door, the growing stack of presents under the tree, the mounting excitement in a child’s eyes. This is a season of “not yet,” and that is a sacred space.

In a world of instant gratification, Advent teaches us the value of patience and hopeful expectation. It allows joy to build slowly, like a symphony swelling to its final movement. This period of waiting gives us time to prepare not just our homes, but our hearts. It’s a time to reflect on what we truly hope for—peace, connection, love.

So, don’t rush it. Savour the countdown. Enjoy the planning and the preparation. The excitement of Christmas Eve is made sweeter by the weeks of anticipation that led to it. This joyful waiting is a mindfulness practice, teaching us to find happiness not just in the destination, but in every step of the journey.