Dear holidays,

Thank you. Thank you for coming earlier and earlier each year. I'm not stressed enough; the fact that the holidays begin sooner and sooner adds just the right amount of tension to erase any kind of peace I never had. Thank you for the sounds of jingle bells in October. It brings out my festive side as I shop for a last minute Halloween costume. Thank you for Black Friday shopping that starts on a Thursday, and (if I'm really lucky) sometimes on a Wednesday. I really love buying new things on a weekend dedicated to being thankful for the things I have. Thank you for the strain on my wallet; I'm really enjoying being broke, and the fun continues when the holidays draw near... checking my bank account has become this fun game of "Let's Guess If I Can Afford This Item". Thank you for the cold weather and the no snow. A white Christmas has never been a dream of mine anyways.

But really, dear holidays, thank you.

Thank you for the Christmas music in October that means people are excited about the times to come. Thank you for the Black Friday shopping that allows me to see that I am content with the things I have in my life. Thank you for the fact that I have money to buy my friend and family gifts; I'm not rich, but I am blessed with enough. Thank you for the cold weather and no snow; it means I can travel to see the people I love.

The holidays can be a tense and stressful time. Instead of complaining and worrying over every little detail, I am going to be mindful of the important things. This is my request to anyone reading this. Remember why we are celebrating this season. It isn't about a perfect turkey. It isn't about how many gifts are laying under a tree worthy of HGTV. It isn't about who got the best deal on a new laptop, and it isn't about the chance of snow (I gave up on that years ago).The Christmas season is about family, friendship, and most importantly, the birth of Jesus. If we take the Christ out of Christmas, we've missed the point completely. Don't forget to be thankful and reflect on the Savior who paid it all for you.

So truly, dear holidays: thank you.

Luke 2:1-20 "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."