Why I Relish Christmas

"Why are you SO crazy about Christmas?" a friend asked. "Year after year your enthusiasm is high."

I adore Christmas.

I play Christmas carols on the piano in August, I own way too many Christmas seasonal decorations, and I excel in the art of Christmas cookie baking.

If that does not convince you, consider that my first body art (tattoo) features a flying reindeer with Christmas greenery at his neck. A friend who does not share this love of the December 25^th holiday asked me why I love it so much. There are many reasons.

First, I believe that the message of the Christmas story brings good news for the world. I will not go into further detail, because I respect everyone’s right to believe, not believe, or interpret spiritual teachings in the unique way that each soul does.

However, wherever one stands on the belief or rejection spectrum, I think that the Christmas story includes good RESULTS for all.

Also, I have happy feelings associated with Christmas from growing-up.

The decorations struck me as remarkable and beautiful.

The foods (especially the cookies), and music made me enjoy the holiday time and led me to conclude that Christmas is special and pleasurable.

In my family, the ritual of decorating a Christmas tree a few weeks before the twenty-fifth and then having it in a place of honor to admire and wonder at, fueled my delight.

We further had a ritual of family togetherness in making ornaments and doing family home Advent services.

Of course, what child could complain about the joys of gift giving and receiving?

With all that occurring since birth, I am not entirely surprised that my mother recounts that as a wee child I could not sleep for the last few nights before Christmas.

The excitement and enthusiasm continues for me. If I am ever not excited about Christmas, you will know that I ameither very sick or dead.

Now, I have a self-perpetuating personal “legend” that Christmastime is good.

My life script includes always enjoying Christmas.

The absence of family members joining my celebrations does not subtract from my joy in the holiday, as it does for some people. It is the way I am programmed.

As an older adult, I have an ever increasing appreciation of the Christmas holiday season as an opportunity to show the people I love how much I appreciate them.

All year, I observe them and pay attention to what is important to them. This guides me in choosing gifts based on love and observation. They delight in surprises which tickle their heart! I delight in watching them!

Another great aspect of the Christmas season for me is the collection of holiday movies and literature.

My top movie of all time for all-around greatness is the classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Others, such as Holiday Inn, White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and the original animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas have sacred spots in my personal entertainment library.

Of course, Dicken’s A Christmas Carol resonates strongly with me. So many of the Christmas stories I like feature hope and happy endings of personal redemption. I am a happy ending sort of person. These works further support my love of Christmas.

Where I live, December is cold and full of long dark hours. Anything we can do to shake off the dreariness works for me. There may or may not be snow on Christmas day for snowman making and sledding. I may or may not have access to a glowing fire in a fireplace. But, I will always have Christmas to cheer me during these depressing weather times.

Thus, I always was and, I suspect, always will be a Christmas lover.

The appealing music and colors succeed in lifting my spirit. The foods may fatten my waistline a bit, but they amplify my happiness. Choosing and giving good gifts is a good occupation of the season. It makes me feel powerful like a glorious fairy godmother or brilliant Christmas elf!

Ultimately, I was made for Christmastime.

If I can share any of my unchecked glee with you, please embrace the warmth and light from my candle of Christmas joy.

Merry Christmas.