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If Christmas Eve is the night that much of the world takes a breath and feels peace, then my life these days is full of little Christmas Eves. One of the lessons you learn living with terminal illness is that those moments of pause – of realising that whatever you think is more important than a few moments of peace and quiet and reflection really isn’t – are what sustain you through the day and through the week and month and year and the whole process you are going through. Whatever it is that’s the opportunity cost of taking 30 minutes or an hour or two of “Christmas Eve” is worth it. It can wait. You’ll get it done.

Yeah, it’s different during the rest of the year because it’s hard to call “time out” by yourself while the rest of the world rolls on. But try it every so often. It’s tremendously surprising and satisfying, especially for people who live to work, to realise that the world won’t fall apart if you step away from it all for a bit. It works collectively on Christmas Eve, and it can work individually if you want it to.

And you don’t need to have an illness to learn this.

Where 2020 will take me is more of a mystery than was 2019 a year ago, but I’m still here and still loving, living, and sharing what I love. And I’m thrilled to be here to post my Christmas Eve thoughts feeling so well. My plan for the year ahead is to keep living with my illness, not to be dying from it, and to be right back here a year from tonight again wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Thanks for being part of my headlong flight.


I don't celebrate Christmas, but I've always liked Christmas Eve. It feels like the world takes a deep breath and everything is quiet and peaceful. It’s as if we call "time out" in the endless race that is life in the modern world. For one night anyway, we come a little closer to knowing what peace feels like. Perhaps that will make us redouble our efforts to bring peace to all the world, and on every day not just one. And maybe, just maybe, it will remind us that the goal of peace is one that, despite our differences, most of humanity shares. As we move into a new year, renewing our commitment to dealing with our fellow humans with a spirit of generosity, good faith, and peace, in all the social spaces we share, would sure be a good start in achieving that goal.

> "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid."
(Micah 4:3-4)

So Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and all of humanity.