Sometimes when I sit down to write, I get an overwhelming feeling that my words need to meet some elusive criteria set by they. When I get caught up in that little game, I inevitably lose. They are so hard to please, mainly because they are mighty in number. So often I tell Lary that we need this or can’t eat that or must do this because they said it. He usually says, “Well, if they said it…”

Do you feel like they direct your life as well?

This came to mind today as I re-read a few little notes I jotted down at a writer’s conference this summer, “Write about what you love. You are a person engaging with people.” Others have said to write like I was talking to my friend. So, friend here are a few things I love about December…

Charlie Brown Christmas – Linus melts my heart every time I hear him remind us all what Christmas is all about. (Luke 2: 8-14 KJV) 

Christmas Music – When John Berry sings “O Holy Night” I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Jesus:

6 Though he was God,[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
he took the humble position of a slave[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 6-11, NLT

And, when I hear Thurl Ravenscroft (I thought it was Boris Karloff too!) sing “‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” it brings me back to childhood and my second favorite Christmas program, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966).  Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel was the king of creative put downs. But oh, that big ole heart the Grinch has at the end. Who said little children can’t make a difference. Just think about little Cindy Lou Who.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle – I dare say we have no idea how much the paper money and coins we drop in that red kettle make a difference in the lives of people in our communities. Keep a few dollars in your wallet as you Christmas shop this year. Drop something in every kettle you encounter. We can make a difference.

Pumpkin bread. Our home begins to smell like pumpkin bread in late November and continues through December. Lary is the pumpkin bread king. His hefty loaves keep our house smelling festive. They are a labor of love and he gives them out generously to family, friends, business associates and folks I didn’t even know he actually knew. If you ever get one of them, you will hope you make the yearly list. Tip – butter a slice and place in the toaster oven to brown. Savor with a cup of coffee on a cold morning. Oh my word…

Red Velvet cake, hot chocolate, fireplaces and fuzzy socks are on the list. Saying “Merry Christmas” and seeing the world lit up in red, green and gold make my heart smile.  Decorated trees, wrapping presents, parties, Christmas programs at church and school, and the sight of little children making popsicle stick Rudolph ornaments never gets old.

I bet you have a list of things you love about December and the Christmas season. In a world where scary seems to becoming everyday life, it feels good to think about the beauty of the most wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas!

PS – I found a great lipstick at Walgreen’s – Burt’s Bees Lip Crayon – Redwood Forest. There will be a lot of eatin’ going on this month so I’m thinkin’ a lip crayon will work great to touch up. They say that the average woman swallows about 4 lbs of lipstick in her lifetime. I’m not sure about that, but my lips always seem without it. Especially at photo time…..

Footnotes: {for scriptures}
a. 2:6  Or Being in the form of God.
b. 2:7a Greek he emptied himself.
c. 2:7b Or the form of a slave.
d. 2:7c Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.