Christmas is one of the two most important holidays (the other more important one is Easter) and is my favorite. It is my favorite for three main reasons, the fun activities on and around Christmas, the spirit of goodwill that abounds as we feel the love for our Savior and humanity, and the fact that my birthday falls on Christmas.
There are so many fun things to do leading up to, and on Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is caroling, exchanging of Christmas cards, Christmas treats from Grandma and drinking hot chocolate and eggnog. When I say treats from Grandma I feel I should elaborate so you get the full magnificence of this Christmas tradition. Last year my Grandma "cut back" as she is in her 70's and isn't up to making as much. The cost to ship the gigantic box she sent us cost the same amount of money that we normally spend on a week's worth of groceries, and I nearly threw out my back bringing it in the house. It then covered our table and provided enough food to sustain us till Valentine's day. Last time we counted she makes fourteen different varieties of fudge, and it is an insult to ask for less than 4 flavors.
My absolute favorite thing about Christmas is the spirit of goodwill and love that is palpable that time of year. I love that we remember our Savior and that motivates us to show love to others. Even those that do not believe in Christ celebrate His birth and are moved by the spirit of joy and goodwill that accompanies celebrating His birth, regardless of their attempts to remove Christ from Christmas.
Lastly, having Christmas is on my birthday is the absolute best. The best day of the year is also the day I get showered with attention, affection, presents and the food of my choice. I never have a lousy birthday. No one ever forgets it and I never have to go to school or work. I get to celebrate the best day of the year and bask in everyone also celebrating me.
Sarah, you are a marvelous person. Christmas is so great! What an honor it must be to have your birthday on the day where the world-wide Christian community celebrates the birth of Christ. Do you get to have a separate little (or gigantic) party after or amidst your Christmas festivities? I'm very proud of you for potentially quenching any ill feelings that may arise on Christmas as you watch others receive presents on your birthday.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me laugh; it never occurred to me to be upset that other people got presents on my birthday. I usually got to pick if I wanted to officially celebrate early on my Dad;s birthday (that is also in December). I almost always chose to celebrate early because presents! I did still get some special treatment on my actual birthday though, like picking what we ate for dinner. I did have a half birthday party a few times because most people go out of town around my real birthday. The last few years I've just opened birthday presents after Christmas presents and the rest of the day is Christmas, but I still get the meal of my choice. I wonder if I'll celebrate mostly on Christmas Eve as my children get older so there is a distinct Christmas for them. Who knows.
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