Letter to the Editor: the Joys of Christmas
Dear Neuse News readers,
I love Christmas; Christmas brings love, joy, peace, and cookies. I believe Christmas isn't just a time of year, season, or holiday but more like a state of mind. Personally, I'm one of those who starts celebrating Christmas at midnight on November 1. I absolutely love Christmas and want to celebrate it as long and as soon as possible.
I am a student of Dr. Travis Towne, and he is an early Christmas hater. He stands for the policy of no Christmas before Thanksgiving. I became aware of this policy when I needed a mood uplifting one day, so I started playing Christmas music and walked into his class. I walked in and was kicked out into the hallway until my music stopped. I stood in the hallway dancing for a minute, stopped my music, and proceeded to class. This experience gave me the motivation to write this story.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year; we hear it in the songs all the time, but what makes Christmas so wonderful? Is it the presents, the peace and joy, the family time, or do you simply love listening to Christmas music and making cocoa and cookies for your favorite holiday movie in matching PJs?
The Odessey online gave 15 reasons for Christmas being 'the most wonderful time of the year,' but I'll sum them up for you.
1. Annual Christmas activities: Many activities scream fun for the holidays, including Ice skating, Christmas movie marathons, Christmas caroling, light shows, and more. Once December arrives, it's time to complete all the activities you've been waiting all year for.
2. Decorating (lights): Who doesn't love a good Christmas tree with a few snowmen and lights wrapping the house? Decorating for this holiday brightens the home and the hearts. Going to see Christmas lights or having some for yourself surely lights up the holidays for many.
3. Giving and saving: Going into the stores and seeing a holiday sale on the item you need is a wonderful feeling. Giving to someone in need or someone you love and knowing their face will light up when they see the heartfelt gift is worth all the time and effort.
4. Contagious cheer and the magic: Grabbing your favorite holiday drink from your local coffee shop and hearing 'Merry Christmas' in a cheerful voice as you leave is so beautiful. The cheerfulness and joy in the air around this time of year are so contagious you can't help but smile and start singing Frosty the Snowman—the magic all around getting to watch everyone filled with the spirit of Christmas.
5. Christmas Cookies and Holiday dishes: There are many delicious holiday treats, but you can't deny the yummy taste of a small sugar cookie with a Christmas tree or
snowman on top. I love Christmas cookies, especially with a cup of hot chocolate. A lovely traditional holiday treat or dish is always welcome this way.
6. Christmas romance: Christmas tends to be a more romantic time. Christmas sleigh rides under the lights, cuddling up by the fire, or sharing a kiss under the mistletoe can cause anyone to be a little more in love than yesterday.
7. Christmas-themed everything: Most of the time, during the Christmas season, I am more susceptible to watching Home Alone or The Polar Express than any other time of year. I also enjoy listening to Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas.' Something about the Christmas cheer hidden in the songs and movies makes them so addictive.
8. Cold weather and SNOW: Whenever you think of Christmas, most people don't think about a hot Christmas. Everyone has secretly dreamed of having a 'white Christmas' at least once.
9. Christmas jitters: Imagine for a second you're 7 years old again, and it's finally close to Christmas; you count down the days until Santa arrives. It's finally Christmas Eve, and you can't fall asleep because you are so excited. Everyone has a little child inside that comes out just a little more around the holidays.
10. PRESENTS!: Who doesn't love getting a little something around Christmas? Being able to get a gift of appreciation for loved ones or even those who need a little love. 11. The reason for the season: We must remember why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus reminds us to base our lives on love rather than hate because he loved us and for Christmas to be a season of giving how Jesus gave his life for us.
No matter your reason, you may or may not celebrate this season, whether you celebrate early like me or wait until after Thanksgiving like Dr.T. You can't help but admit you can feel some holiday spirit in the air. I know not everyone's holiday will look or feel the same, but this holiday is a representation of the love and peace of Christ. Finally, have yourself a merry little Christmas!
Kaylee Stallings
Kinston, NC
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