As much as I love the holidays, there are a few things that threaten to take away its magnetism. Yesterday as I fought the urge of frustration with traffic, I thought of what I would do if I was in charge of the month of December.

1. For the week between Christmas and New Years, all business must close to allow family time … nothing else.
2. Snow must blanket the ground. Not too much, not too little, but with a heavy heaping at the ski resorts.
3. Christmas music must play on all radio stations.
4. All school band concerts must occur before December 5^th.
5. All creditors must give a grace period for the month.
6. All extended family members must repeat, “You come over whenever it works for you.”
7. The focus must be on being together and celebrating the birth of a Savior, not on fancy new things.
8. The real Christmas Story is required reading for every household.
9. All illnesses are eradicated.
10. And as the reformed Grinch said, “There will be no sad faces at Christmas.”

I asked my daughter last night what she’d do if she was in charge of the month of December. Here were her mandates:

1. Everyone has to go to the animal shelter and donate food, play with the animals, and keep them warm.
2. Presents are opened early (by December 23^rd).
3. It is required to have snow at every house, but not over 5 feet.
4. It must be called what it is: a CHRISTMAS Tree, not a “Holiday Tree.”
5. Stores must change their prices so little kids can buy more things with their own money.
6. Santa is banished. God gives presents.

But, we aren’t in charge. So I will play my Christmas music from a CD, I will spend as much time with my family as possible, I will accept the amount of snow the ski resorts have, I will pray for my friends burdened with illness and look for ways to encourage those discouraged. Above everything else, I will remember the reason for this season and give thanks for the greatest gift of all — Jesus Christ.

As I sit in my little sanctuary of an office this morning, the word that comes to mind is peace. Out my window, snow gently falls blanketing the ground. My Piano Christmas plays quietly in the background. My Sumatra coffee warms my hands and taste buds.

I love mornings where fresh snow is falling. It’s a morning where life slows down a bit. Drivers can’t barrel down the roads. School buses are late, so rushing isn’t necessary. The urgency to run errands is replaced by thoughts of a nice toasty fire and a cup of hot cocoa.

Tranquility.

Outside dainty heaps pile atop Christmas lights and pine needles. Frailty. Tiny snowflakes find their designed homes. Destiny. Scraggly branches thicken with a white puffy layer. Comfort.

Softly the pianist glides its fingers across the keys …

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born …

I wonder if it snowed that night. A baby born in a stable-such frailty. But it was perfect-destiny. Hope felt from the birth of a Savior-comfort.

Whether it’s snowing where you live or not, take time today … just be.

December has arrived. It’s my favorite time of the year. On Saturday, giddiness came over me like a child on Christmas morning. Christmas does that to me. I just could not wait to make Wassail, turn on Christmas music, build a fire, and decorate the house for Christmas. All afternoon I kept wondering, What is it about Christmas that I love so much?

Christmas Music. I know many hate Christmas music, but I happen to love it. The various artist renditions or jazzy instrumentals of the familiar songs make me just want to get up and dance around the house.

Festive Lights. What beautiful displays people place in their yards at this time of year. I often think of the electric bill they will receive for the over-the-top decorations, but I enjoy gazing at them.

Giving. I love giving more than receiving! To watch the expression when my daughter receives a long-awaited gift or a tender moment a special gift offers brings me such joy. I love the process of finding just the right thing for a person that will brighten their day.

Baking. Holidays means baking goodies and spending time with my daughter as we bake together.

Family. Holidays means extra time with my family. Time to decorate, play games, laugh, and just be.

The True Meaning. A time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The idea that the God of the universe sent his son to be born to this cruel, harsh world is hard to fathom. Yet He did, just for us. That is the greatest gift of all.

Yet often December gets bombarded with Christmas parties, hurried shopping, traffic, no parking places, long check-out lines, a flurry of items on the to-do list, and stress over money to be spent. Many years it seemed the more I tried to slow the month down, the faster it sped up.

This weekend we did an Advent Wreath craft with our Kindergarten Sunday School class. In preparing for the craft, I found that advent (Latin for “coming towards”) was of German origin dating back 150 years. Advent can be celebrated in many different ways, but what a great reminder of the true meaning of celebrating Christmas. It’s a new tradition my family is adding this year to keep us focused on what is most important.

No matter if it’s a daily advent calendar or a weekly advent candle, take time to remember the true reason for this season.