Is it really the most wonderful time of the year?
Yes! Here are a few reasons why:
12. Receiving gifts – I know, we’re bad people if all we care about is getting presents. Still, it’s a fun feeling to unwrap a gift knowing that someone cared enough to get you something.
11. Giving gifts – There’s nothing quite like the feeling of giving something to someone else and seeing the happiness that it brings them (even if it’s just a gift card, some people really like gift cards.)
10. Bells – Usually, bells are loud and annoying; they’re used for letting us know when we are tardy. But at Christmas, they’re jingly, happy, and bring joy to the world.
9. Christmas carols – Sure, there are some Christmas songs that annoy us (talking about you, “Santa Baby”) but there are many songs we enjoy hearing and singing. Who doesn’t love a good “Hallelujah” now and then?
8. Treats – Cookies, fudge, candy canes, chocolates, or fruitcake, there’s some kind of treat for everyone to enjoy. (Okay, probably not fruitcake.)
7. People are nicer – People are nicer at Christmas. Is it because they are genuinely nice, or just don’t want to get on the naughty list? Either way, it’s a good thing.
6. Christmas lights – As long as I don’t have to climb up on the roof, I love Christmas lights! Bright and blinky and colorful!
5. Eggnog – Everyone loves the thick deliciousness of eggnog! (Okay, not everyone. Some people are wrong.)
4. Spending time with family – It may be more difficult this year but spending time with extended family (even if it’s just over Zoom) is always worth it.
3. Time off from work – It’s nice to have time off work to be with family and celebrate Christmas! (Yes, there are some who still must work on Christmas. Here’s a shout out to the police/fire/hospital workers, and all others who have to work on Christmas.) For most of us, though, it’s great to leave the worries of work behind for one day.
2. Children’s smiles – There’s nothing as wonderfully contagious as a smile on a child! Whether they’re playing with a new toy, or happy to see Grammy and PopPop, the joy of a child’s smile is as good as it gets.
(I wish I still got excited enough about things that I’d jump up and down like a little kid.)
1. The birth of Jesus – There is a reason we celebrate this season, and it’s not reindeer, snowmen, or Santa. We celebrate because a child was born; a child who would grow up to show and teach us how we should live.
That’s a pretty good thing.
Merry Christmas! (Capell is a Serve Daily contributor.)
