I took this photo of my Christmas tree on December 7, 2012. The angel and Santa ornaments near the bottom of the tree were gifts to me from my maternal grandmother when I was a boy. I bought the Nativity scene under the tree in January 2005 at an after Christmas sale. The tree's size of about 33 inches high seems well suited for my studio efficiency apartment.
Merry Christmas! The Christmas Spirit is special! I love Christmas! The Christmas season often seems to bring out the best in people.
Indeed, Christmas is a joyous holiday that is perhaps celebrated by more nonbelievers than Christians.
Even atheists, agnostics, and followers of other faiths often put up Christmas trees and enjoy looking at the colorful, spectacular Christmas decorations and watching Christmas parades. Exchanging gifts and donating to charities are part of it, too. The celebration of the birth of Jesus is just one part of this festive occasion.
In fact, Jesus almost certainly was not born on December 25. But since we don’t know his birthday, I think December 25 is a great day for believers to celebrate his birth. And nonbelievers certainly enjoy fun in numerous ways, too, on this holiday.
Indeed, an important part of the Christmas holiday season is fellowshipping with others through get-togethers with family and friends. Making phone calls and initiating contact through cards and emails to renew and strengthen relationships is a big part of the joy of the holiday.
I try to visit my family and friends in southeastern Kentucky sometime during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. And I make phone calls, send emails, and even mail several old-fashioned Christmas cards. It thrills me to receive a Christmas card with a personal note on it -- and I enjoy writing and sending them, too.
The best things in life are free or cheap. Telling stories and playing old fashioned board games or card games with friends can be more fun and provide better memories than playing with an expensive new children's (or adult's) toy -- and allow more time for quality personal interaction. In 2009 I posted an article on Newsvine about enjoying what I called a "traditional" Christmas.
Even listening to Christmas carols seems to provide a huge positive psychological effect to many. I love listening to Christmas songs as background music during the Christmas season as I wash dishes or do other tasks at my apartment. Radio stations broadcast them free, too. In 2010 I posted an article about my enjoyment of Christmas music on Newsvine.
It would take a book to write all the things I love about Christmas! The joy of giving and receiving gifts, the fellowship, the food, and the overall festive, friendly atmosphere make Christmas a wonderful holiday.
This Christmas I encourage you to enjoy the season and its blessings. I hope everyone enjoys a fun, safe, and very merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
And if you celebrate(d) any other holiday(s) during November and December (such as Ashura, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa), I hope those are/were fun, safe, merry occasions as well! Happy Holidays!
NOTE: This article is adapted from other Christmas articles I wrote in previous years. I edited this particular article about 11:10 p.m. on December 7, 2012 by adding this note, as well as a photo of my Christmas tree and a caption for the photo. I edited the photo caption again about 11:30 p.m., December 7, 2012 to make a correction. Finally, I edited this note about 12:10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 to correct an error.
