Joys of the Season

Certainly, the most important aspect of the Christmas season is the celebration of Christ's coming to earth. No ordinary birthday, this! And therefore, no ordinary celebration.

I love the music of Christmas. Much of the time while I am at home during December, I am listening—soft instrumental music if I am working at the computer or reading, traditional renditions of both religious and popular music if I am more actively listening while I eat or do the laundry or the dishes. I anticipate attending some special presentations of music too; it has become tradition to see "The Nutcracker" ballet.

I love the lights of Christmas—the lights on my own tree, the lights on the houses up and down the street where I live, the lighted decorations on our downtown streets, the special displays by various organizations.

I love the cards and notes from friends at Christmas; it warms the heart to be remembered. Some of us correspond only once a year, but it is sweet to know that even when we do not write or call, we are still friends across the miles and pray for each others' happiness.

I love the general feeling of goodwill at Christmas. This isn't true everywhere, of course; if one gets caught in a crush of cross shoppers at the mall, he/she may not be at all convinced about the message of peace on earth! But on the whole, people are generous to others in ways they may not be throughout the year. (They do fill those Salvation Army buckets, after all!)

I love Christmas worship—especially the Christmas Eve candlelight service. It is an especially holy time, full of gratitude for so great a gift as God gave us.

I feel really sorry for those individuals who say, "Christmas? Bah! Humbug!"

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/