Life has a different feel at Christmastime. It just does. For me, that special feeling always begins some time in December. It usually happens the very first morning I’m confronted with an explosion of festive illuminated displays throughout the neighborhoods, while heading to Starbucks before the dawn’s early light. The start of the holiday season is often confirmed around the same time when Christmas carols, both the classics and new renditions (some good, most bad), seep into the playlists resonating in our malls, grocery stores, restaurants, and even our phones when we are (im)patiently on hold.
Christmas is my favorite thing about the month of December. I’ve asked it before, and I’ll ask it again: What’s not to love about a day in which we can celebrate both Jesus and Santa? Mankind seems to be a bit nicer when December 25th is in our sights, save for the lunatic scrooges engaging in fisticuffs over Black Friday deals. The missus and I never succumbed to the antics of lunatic scrooges, but we did partake in our fair share of questionably insane behavior on Black Fridays – back in the day. Once, we were on the road before sunup, traveling about 40 minutes to the big city, for the sole purpose of surprising our nieces on Christmas Day with their preferred NSYNC dolls (at a bargain price). Justin Timberlake for the one niece, and Lance Bass for the other.
Another time, my lovely wife and I made the seemingly traditional trip west to save a few bucks on a Pokémon Yellow Nintendo video game for our son. It was a frigid morning as we stood in line outside Target, before any rooster could have had an inkling yet to crow. Some employees of the store were kind enough to serve hot chocolate (marshmallows included) to all of us shivering in the lengthy line. After frostbite had settled in, and a few conversations with people donning mucus icicles from their rosy noses were had, the doors to the store were finally unlocked, and one of the most coveted gifts of the season was ours!
We are told it is better to give than to receive. But receiving is pretty darn good, too. It has also been said that Christmas is for kids. Well, I must disagree because as an adult advanced in years, I can attest that I still possess the emotion of overwhelming excitement whenever holding a freshly wrapped present in my hands. The Christmas gifts of my youth were certainly what made my childhood and adolescent years so special. Waking up to find what Santa had left under the tree, or around the tree, or sometimes even in the basement, are precious memories never to be forgotten. A brand new bicycle, a pogo stick, stilts, a BB gun, and a handheld electronic football game were just a few of my favorite Christmas gifts as a youngster. Also, anything Dallas Cowboys. I was almost as fascinated with the team’s big star logo as I was with the illustrious Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Almost.
I remember some amazing “family gifts” good old St. Nick left us, as well. Sure we had to take turns, but we were used to it, and having to share was just the price we paid for receiving such nice presents. Like a pool table, and the original Atari gaming system. Every Christmas morning there was always at least one delivered gift from Santa to be elated over. And we didn’t even have a chimney for the jolly one to come down. That Claus character is something else, although Santa can’t hold a candle to Jesus. As a Christ follower, Christmas means absolutely nothing to me without, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) So, this is what December means to me. What does December mean to you?
lifewithtruthandcommonsense 
January 5th, 2025 at 3:40 PM
There are several layers to December for me. Not only does it bring a variety of emotions, those emotions are different depending on the time frame in my life.
When I was younger it just seemed magical! As I aged, the magic did too. When I had my children, the magic returned through their younger years, then began to fade again as they have become adults.
Take Snow for instance. As a child I could hardly wait for it to snow so that I could go out and build snow forts, sled, make snow angels or have a snowball fight. I also liked walking to the Aurora Heights park to ice skate. I didn’t mind the cold and looked forward to some good hot chocolate when I came in. Enjoying those things with my kids when they were younger also brought me joy to see them having fun! As an adult, I still enjoy watching the snow as it falls. It just seems to peaceful and still outside. I don’t mind the snow itself, I always hope for a white Christmas, but not a fan of the bitter cold or trying to drive or walk on the ice. The older I get the more I worry about the damage that could be done by a simple fall.
As a child, I could hardly wait for winter break so I wouldn’t have to go to school and prayed for snow days so I could stay home and play outside. As an adult, I end up being forced to take vacation days in December so I won’t lose them at the beginning of the year. Those days are normally boring and I can’t wait to get back to my normal work/life schedule after the New Year.
Then you have Christmas. As a child, as Christmas got closer, so did the excitement. Thinking of what I should put on my list, wondering what Santa would leave me under the tree and in my stocking. Getting dressed up for the School Christmas program and the Sunday School Christmas program. Christmas morning, waking up to see what Santa brought, opening presents and spending time with my family and of course more presents. I also enjoyed getting the gifts for my kids and watching them in their Christmas programs. Watching my kids experience the magic of Christmas the way that children do, also brought me joy. As an adult, the older I get the Christmas holiday magic has been replaced with the stress. Trying to make plans for Christmas Day, decorating, buying and wrapping presents, cleaning and food prep. By the time the day is actually here I’m mentally and physically tired.
Joy, Wonder, Excitement, Love, Worry, Stress and Blah!
December is the end of the year when you can look back on the year and reflect on what you did or didn’t do. Feeling accomplished or let down. But to each end, there is a new beginning. A time to look forward with a fresh perspective!
And the most important event in December, but often times the most “lost in the shuffle”, is the Birth of our Savior Jesus.