From Christmas 2019.

Christmas time is one of my favorite times of the year.

The colors, lights, the decorations, food and family.

I especially love the music. Traditional carols, modern songs, and classical music. All wonderful.

I had a CD that wore out which had traditional songs and a great spoken word Christmas Story. I wish I knew the name and could find it again.

Movies and tv - that list has been beat to pieces. My favorites are “White Christmas” and a “Charlie Brown Christmas”. Linus’ telling of the Christmas story is excellent.

As a child I sang in school choirs until my voice changed in 6th grade. Christmas was a busy time for us. We sang in more Churches, community halls, retirement homes, and schools than I can count.

My family would go to the Candle Light service at the Arvada Methodist Church on Christmas Eve night. Earl Hannah told the Christmas Story in his wonderful voice.

From Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The story of Easter, about the death and resurrection of Jesus, is the fundamental story of Christianity. However, it’s an adult’s story about serious matters.

Christmas is a child’s story. It’s about poor people forced to travel in winter. The hotel was full because it was so busy and they had to sleep in a barn. How exciting for a child. After all, we faced our own trials of travel.

It’s also about birth. For a child the birth of another child is an amazing and magical event. There are presents for the new baby and sometimes even for us. Everyone is happy and excited.

Our modern version of Christmas was invented during the 1800s. Prior to that Christmas wasn’t much of a holiday and it was even outlawed in much of Europe and North America at various times.

I truly love our modern celebration of Christmas. Not the commercialization of Black Friday and the shopping frenzy. Rather, it is family, music, and decorations. It is the spirit of kindness and joy that the season represents that I like best.

I know there are many people that don’t celebrate Christmas. They have their own holidays that celebrate similar ideas. I love that too. Of course, some people don’t celebrate the season at all and, while I may not understand, I certainly accept it.

May the season bring peace and happiness to you and yours.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.