We have been inundated with the sights and sounds since before Halloween, now it's only a few more days until we celebrate Christmas.

Now, I don't mean to be a grump, but I always have mixed emotions around Christmas. The more I see and hear, with neighbors trying to outdo each other with light displays, half of the TV commercials selling toys, jewelry, cars, clothing, etc., etc., and the silly songs that have nothing to do with Christmas, it just seems that we are getting further away from the holiday's true meaning. Yes, we all celebrate Christmas in a different way, but it is pretty difficult to ignore the commercialization of the holiday unless you hibernate for the last couple of months of the year.

Growing up Catholic, some of my fondest memories of Christmas was learning about why we celebrate the day. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ, who became our Lord and Savior, is deep-rooted in my feelings about Christmas. Attending Mass with family and friends around Christmas was special, with the classic hymns being sung, the liturgies and sermon about the birth of Christ, and seeing the Nativity set up in the chapel. Sometimes we would go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (which I think started a bit earlier than midnight but ended close to the “special day”) and sometimes we went to Mass Christmas morning. Most churches now hold services in the afternoon and/or early evening on Christmas Eve.

I hope you haven't read this and determined that I am some sort of religious zealot. I am far from being that. It is just that I wanted to get these feelings out so I can enjoy my Christmas better. There, I feel better already.

Let's all celebrate the holy day with family and friends. It is not about the “what” but the “who” and “why.” Show love and accept love. That's my feeling about Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all.