I don't know that I've mentioned this before, but I love the Christmas season, even if it does occur during winter when my hair statics out like I've touched one of those electricity balls at the museum and my skin becomes sandpaper. Christmas is just such a happy time of year, filled with hope and wonder and surprise. In the spirit of the holiday, I'm going to give you the Top Ten List of things I love about Christmas:
1. Celebrating the Savior's birth. First and foremost, above all else, the Reason for the Season. He is our Eternal Hope and Ultimate Gift, not just during the Season of Hope, but all year long.
2. Celebrating with family and friends. Everyone is so busy year round, so it's nice to make time to be together at least once or twice a year. The laughter, the telling of stories about growing up together, it's all wonderful.
3. Cathryn's face on Christmas morning. Cathryn enjoys Christmas just as much as I do, maybe more, because she enjoys baking Christmas cookies and also has a countdown to the FORTY-EIGHT HOURS of PRESENTS, but the most enjoyable thing is watching her wake up to the realization that Santa has come to her house and left goodies. Truly, her face and eyes are all aglow, just like the Nat King Cole song said they would be. She can't take it all in; she doesn't know what to play with first, or next. Nothing brings joy to my heart like watching her fill up with joy.
4. The Music. There's no music like Christmas music. I love all of it, so it's impossible for me to name a favorite. It has a magical quality to it that I just cannot explain. Some of it is quiet and reverent while others are filled with mischief and glee. Given my, um, quirky sense of humor, I even like the sad Christmas songs, like "I Hate Christmas Parties" by Relient K. Please, go find this song and listen to it if you want to laugh. Nothing on this earth compares to emo Christmas music.
5. Children's Choir Christmas Play. Yeah, I know. I get totally sick and stressed out about it every year, but once it's done, I can sit back and truly appreciate these kids and all the work that's gone into making it awesome. They may not realize it now, but the lessons that they're learning (about teamwork, responsibility, and the birth of Jesus) by memorizing the dialogue and lyrics will be with them for the rest of their lives. Plus, they're so darn cute!
5. Children's Choir Christmas Play. Yeah, I know. I get totally sick and stressed out about it every year, but once it's done, I can sit back and truly appreciate these kids and all the work that's gone into making it awesome. They may not realize it now, but the lessons that they're learning (about teamwork, responsibility, and the birth of Jesus) by memorizing the dialogue and lyrics will be with them for the rest of their lives. Plus, they're so darn cute!
6. Charlie Brown Christmas. The oldest and my favorite of the Christmas specials, with a message that still rings true today. It's not about commercialism and gifts, no matter what Retail America tries to tell us. It's all about a little baby in a manger. One day, I'm going to direct this as a children's choir production, and it will be awesome.
7. Hermie The Elf. Well, all Christmas elves, really...I wish that I could be one of Santa's elves. Preferably in the Elf Choir or the Tree-Trimming Committee. Elves just seem to have lots of fun in their work. Except for Hermie, who was probably the only dissatisfied Christmas elf in history. But I like Hermie because he knew he didn't fit in, and he was OK with it. A lesson for all of us really. Plus, he had that spiffy blonde hair when all the other boy elves were bald. Honorable mention: Buddy the Elf, a modern day misfit who brought joy to a joyless world. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"
8. The Decorations. Christmas decorations make a cold, gray world colorful and beautiful again. Really, that's all I have to say about that.
9. The Food. When I think of Christmas, I think of the most wonderful food in all the world--barbeque pork. One of my favorite restaurants in Georgetown is Big Bill's BBQ, because they serve barbeque pork all year long, and I am instantly taken back to the Christmases of my childhood, when Uncle William would bring in the hog that he and Daddy had spent all night cooking.
10. Time off from work. Come on, who doesn't love this about Christmas?
Well, folks, that's it. I'll be back after the Christmas holidays! Hope your Christmas is merry and bright!
Toodles!
7. Hermie The Elf. Well, all Christmas elves, really...I wish that I could be one of Santa's elves. Preferably in the Elf Choir or the Tree-Trimming Committee. Elves just seem to have lots of fun in their work. Except for Hermie, who was probably the only dissatisfied Christmas elf in history. But I like Hermie because he knew he didn't fit in, and he was OK with it. A lesson for all of us really. Plus, he had that spiffy blonde hair when all the other boy elves were bald. Honorable mention: Buddy the Elf, a modern day misfit who brought joy to a joyless world. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"
8. The Decorations. Christmas decorations make a cold, gray world colorful and beautiful again. Really, that's all I have to say about that.
9. The Food. When I think of Christmas, I think of the most wonderful food in all the world--barbeque pork. One of my favorite restaurants in Georgetown is Big Bill's BBQ, because they serve barbeque pork all year long, and I am instantly taken back to the Christmases of my childhood, when Uncle William would bring in the hog that he and Daddy had spent all night cooking.
10. Time off from work. Come on, who doesn't love this about Christmas?
Well, folks, that's it. I'll be back after the Christmas holidays! Hope your Christmas is merry and bright!
Toodles!
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