This is what was and is still said to children during Advent. But what is so special about this time? Is it because of the touching story of the birth of Christ or are childhood memories also involved?
Maybe it's because it suddenly smells like cinnamon, cloves, fresh pine branches, incense and mulled wine everywhere? Or is it the many children who send their Christmas wishes to Christ Child in letters decorated with pretty drawings? It's probably a mixture of all of these and a large part of it will also consist of the memories of celebrating Christmas.
Sometimes you even wish you could go back to your childhood, to that carefree time when the long wait begins. When big children's eyes discover the illuminated trees, frolic happily in the snow or you see the children's flattened noses at the windows. Maybe the Christ child could fly by!
How wonderful is this preparation for Christmas Eve and the festive season with family and friends. When everyone sits down at the table together and joy, peace and happiness - especially when the presents are opened - prevail!
But – wait – how was that waiting and carefree? In fact, as an adult, you often miss exactly these beautiful things in Advent, because who takes the time to look consciously, to simply observe how the flakes fall or to calm down with a cup of tea or cocoa. Just take yourself out of the colorful, often opaque and hectic hustle and bustle to think about what Christmas actually means to you.
It is absolutely not important what faith you belong to or not, what ideas and attitudes you have in life, because the most important thing is simply time and, these days, health.
Unfortunately, material things often come to the fore and it would be an idea to give time again - to those people who are important to you, who you have grown to love, who you trust, who are there for you at any hour of the day or night, when you need it and vice versa. But also - and this is particularly important these days - to take the time and stay healthy.
With this in mind, I would like to end these lines with an old Irish blessing, wishing you peaceful Advent days, joy, conviviality and, above all, peace in these days and a wonderful Christmas.
May you take the time to celebrate the quiet wonders that have no admirers in the noisy world.
Daniela Vockenhuber
