Why I think Christmas is Merry

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday! For fun, I compiled a list of my top ten reasons why I love Christmas, in no particular order:
10.) The general ambience of the season: You all know what I'm talking about. Everyone seems to be a bit more friendly, giving, kind, and patient.
9.) Christmas traditions: Some things are just more special when you do them year after year
8.) All the wonderful smells: From molasses gingersnap cookies to homemade bread to live Christmas trees to hot chocolate, our home always smells wonderful in December
7.) Service opportunities: Christmastime gives me many opportunities to serve others in special ways, like going caroling at a veteran's hospital
6.) The weather: I love how cold it gets, even if it's only a SoCal level of cold
5.) Family Christmas parities: They include lots of food, jokes, and to-the-death ornament exchanges (seriously. This year someone used the Jedi chokehold when their gift was stolen)
4.) Gift exchanging: Even if all the gifts I wrap look terrible!
3.) Performances: I love being in and watching Christmas performances (This year I saw A Christmas Carol play at the Long Beach Playhouse, and it was amazing!)
2.) The music! I started playing Christmas music way back in September and kept it going all through Halloween and Thanksgiving. 
1.) Spending time with family: It's the favorite thing to do during Christmas
The biggest reason why I love Christmas, however, is more important than any other reason I put on my top ten list. It has to do with a baby boy, born thousands of years ago, who came to Earth in the humblest of circumstances. This little boy is what makes my Christmases matter, and what makes every day of my life matter.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is, "Mary, did you know?" I've often pondered this age old question during the Christmas season. Did Mary know who her baby boy would one day become? Did she know that the sacrifice He would make would save her, and me, and everyone in the whole world? Did she know He would be the Savior? Maybe Mary didn't know all that then, but I know it now. And that knowledge makes Christmas worth celebrating and life worth living.

Hope you have a Merry and sunshine-filled Christmas!