10. ‘What Christmas is as We Grow Older’ by Charles Dickens

Four years ago I was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in my county (Maramureș). I made myself a promise then, and I’m pretty sure past-me is proud of present-me. Reading the post I wrote then, made me realise how much I have grown since 2017. My writing is different, my ideas are different. However, my essence is the same. I found myself in that year thanks to the youth workers by my side. I laid the foundation, and I have been building on it ever since.

I think today’s Christmas story is a perfect match. Take a deep breath and read this:

‘Welcome, old aspirations, glittering creatures of an ardent fancy, to your shelter underneath the holly! We know you, and have not outlived you yet. Welcome, old projects and old loves, however fleeting, to your nooks among the steadier lights that burn around us. Welcome, all that was ever real to our hearts; and for the earnestness that made you real, thanks to Heaven! [...] Welcome, everything! Welcome, alike what has been, and what never was, and what we hope may be, to your shelter underneath the holly, to your places round the Christmas fire, where what is sits open-hearted!’

This is exactly how I feel now.

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‘What Christmas is as We Grow Older’ by Charles Dickens

The more Dickens I read, the more I realise how I misjudged him. He is one who understands Christmas and he writes about it so beautifully.

Check out the full calendar here: https://www.bside.blog/advent-calendar-2021