Christmas Eve

It’s the anticipation of the first snowfall that will blanket the city and dress it up for the holiday season.

It’s the anticipation of the gifts under the tree, each one full of possibilities until it’s opened.

It’s the anticipation of a phone call from the man who makes my heart sing. The man who can talk about hockey until the cows come home, but can’t bring himself to tell you what’s in his heart.

It’s the anticipation of the birthday that Christmas Day will bring. Another year, another shock of grey hair, another crop of wrinkles.

It’s the anticipation of the traditional food of Christmas; roasted chestnuts, panettone and torrone.

It’s the anticipation of a day of Peace for the world, a respite from the fighting and the dying, at least for this one day.

It’s the anticipation in the cold night, of a young mother-to-be huddled in a cave, waiting to give birth to the Saviour of the world.

It’s the anticipation of another Christmas Eve……