The Spirit of Belief: Christmas and the Magic of Our Planet
I’m sitting here on Christmas Eve with a glass of wine, the ending of Willy Wonka, and a laptop on my lap, and I feel compelled to write.
I’m good just reflecting on a number of things this year and in turn the importance of the spirit of belief.
Sending love and best wishes to you all.
Stefan
The Spirit of Belief…
As Father Christmas draws near, families all over the world are preparing to embrace cherished traditions filled with joy and a sense of wonder.
For many children, believing in Father Christmas is about much more than just waiting for gifts; it’s about stepping into a magical world where imagination runs wild. The twinkling lights, presents, and time with family capture the heart of what it means to be a child this evening.
Belief is a powerful force in our lives, shaping how we see the world. Children, with their endless imaginations, possess an amazing ability to believe in the impossible.
Just think about the joy that fills their hearts as they eagerly count down the days until Father Christmas arrives on Christmas Eve. It’s not just about presents; it’s about the wonder and hope that accompany it—a connection to something so much bigger.
For children, Christmas transforms ordinary winter nights into something truly special. The excitement of leaving out milk, a carrot, and a mince pie for Father Christmas, along with the thrill of waking up to find gifts beneath the tree, becomes part of their identity.
Children find joy not just in receiving but also in the traditions that lift their spirits and create unforgettable memories—like decorating the Christmas tree, watching Home Alone, or singing carols, as we did, around the local village duck pond with mulled wine and mince pies.
It’s this sense of wonder that shows how deeply experiences shape our understanding of the world around us and how much our world means to us, often without our realisation.
I remember, as a small child, how Christmas felt like a vast, enchanting forest filled with tall trees draped in shimmering lights. Time stood still, allowing laughter and delight, which had been missing for most of the year, to take centre stage.
As I reflect on how Christmas brings joy and wonder, I’m reminded that our Earth is filled with life and enchantment waiting to be explored, too.
Like a present unwrapped and quickly discarded for the next unopened gift, I fear that many of us have forgotten the enchantment of seeing a rainbow after a storm, feeling the sun’s warmth on our skin, or watching the waves roll onto a beach, as we are blessed to do on our beautiful Isle of Wight.
In turn, we forget the essential role a thriving planet plays not just in our survival but in our very happiness.
Beneath the lights and excitement, there lies an important truth: the magic we feel during Christmas mirrors the extraordinary beauty of our planet that we need to recapture. Just as we strive to keep the magic of Christmas alive for our children, we must also respect and protect the magic of our planet.
It isn’t too late. Just like a screening of The Christmas Chronicles starring Kurt Russell, for just under two hours my twelve-year-old son became a believer again. If we want our children to have a future brimming with lush landscapes, biodiversity, and ample resources, it’s essential that we believe again too, so we can champion the cause of protecting our planet.
Let’s take three examples that illustrate how we can make significant strides toward reversing climate change:
Transition to Renewable Energy: The successful shift to renewable energy in countries like Costa Rica has achieved over 99% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily from hydroelectric power, supplemented by wind and solar. This demonstrates that we can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to climate change. This transition offers a scalable model that other nations can replicate, proving that a sustainable energy future, if invested in and backed, is within reach.
Reforestation and Conservation: Initiatives focused on reforesting regions and conserving ecosystems highlight our capacity to enhance carbon sequestration, which is vital for reversing climate change. By restoring forests and habitats, we can absorb significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. The tangible results from projects such as the Bonn Challenge emphasise the effectiveness of natural climate solutions. When scaled, these efforts can play a crucial role in offsetting emissions and stabilising global temperatures.
Carbon Pricing Initiatives: The introduction of carbon pricing policies illustrates a viable economic framework for tackling climate change. By assigning a cost to carbon emissions, governments can encourage businesses to innovate and adopt greener practices. The success of countries like Sweden shows that it is possible for economic growth to align with emissions reductions. Since 1990, Sweden has reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, while the average reduction in the EU has only been 30%.
These are, of course, only three examples, but they provide compelling evidence that through innovation, natural solutions, and astute economic policies, we have the ability to reduce emissions and actively work towards reversing the effects of climate change.
Our children deserve…
Our children deserve a world filled with joy, wonder, and endless possibilities—just like the Christmas mornings we all remember. I don’t know about you, but I recall the feeling I had when I discovered that Father Christmas wasn't real. Imagine multiplying that ‘knot in your stomach’ many thousands of times—that’s how our children will feel when they realise we stood by and watched THEIR planet die. And with it, the future of Christmas magic, too.
But it doesn’t have to be that way as the examples above show.
In our roles as parents, teachers, and mentors, we have the opportunity to leave behind a gift of a thriving planet. We must preserve our forests, our grasslands, and the delicate balance of our oceans.
In 2025, we all need to initiate open conversations in our workplaces about our hopes for the future and the steps we can take together to make the dream of a thriving planet a reality.
As we work together to create a world where children can wake up on Christmas morning to a vibrant planet, we reaffirm the vital importance of hope.
By framing these dialogues around hope and action, we can guide our leaders toward understanding the critical balance between belief and responsibility.
While engaging in these discussions, we must also remember that they are not ours alone to have; we need to help our children feel seen and valued, empowering them to express their beliefs and aspirations for a better world at the same table.
When we include our children in these conversations, we prepare them for a lifetime filled with wonder and a sense of responsibility.
As the lights twinkle and laughter fills our homes, let’s remember that the greatest gift we can give our children is to cherish the magic of both Christmas and the natural world. We must nurture not only their imagination but also build the legacy of a thriving planet—one filled with wonder and responsibility that will echo through the years to come.
In doing so, we ensure that as they grow, they will continue to safeguard the magic of our planet, fostering an appreciation for the beauty and wonder that surrounds them. Together, we can ignite a passion for the Earth, inspiring a new generation to protect and cherish it, so that every Christmas morning is not just a memory of joy but a celebration of the vibrant world we share.
Sending love to you and your family for tomorrow.
Stefan
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I am…
An executive coach who specialises in helping good people lead great things.
Good people care about others, our planet and beauty. Great things are changes for the betterment of society and all that lives within an around it.
It sounds big and fun - it is.
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