During this season of Peace, let it be on earth and in us as well.

My local radio station asked this morning for comments on what you love and hate about Christmas.

What I love about Christmas was easy:

I love the family being together.

I love the tree -- the size, the smell, the twinkling lights, the special ornaments with memories attached.

I love my faith, my church family and my relationship with God.  The "reason for the season" is very real for me.

And of course there's the wonderful food, the carols, the thoughtful gifts to as well as from others, the blessing of being able to take a week off work and relax.  I am extremely fortunate.

I can't think of anything that I hate about Christmas ..... unless I include that my daughter can't make it home or that I can't be with my parents and family in NL.  (Haven't figured out how to be 2 places at once yet.)  

Some people commented and said they hate the commercialism of Christmas.  That bothers me, but I don't allow it to directly affect me.  I shop early; and even when I have to go to the mall, I talk to myself before hand and say "Now you know there'll be traffic jams; and there'll be crowds of people; and it will take you ages to check out."  So, I psyche myself up and find ways to make it easier.  (Great time to catch up on Hollywoods gossip at the checkout line or begin eating the bag of chips in your cart!)  

People said they hated the "expectations" of Christmas. I learned years ago about the disappointment connected with expectations.  Now, I try to keep my expectation level at enjoying my children with the time they give me and/or the happiness they show at being with friends; enjoying what baking I've managed to do; enjoying being alive as opposed to having all my body parts function as they once did.  (And yes, even enjoying that glass or 2 of wine with the necessary Malox chaser!!!) 

If something begins to bother me, I try to find a way to "release it to the universe" and let it go.  That's one thing that aging teaches you is that you need to enjoy life while you have it in whatever capacity you can.  I soak up all the positive, laugh at myself, remember how wonderfully blessed I am and eat try to let the hustle and bustle pass me by.  

But I know that not everyone is as fortunate as I am.  There are those who cringe when Christmas rolls around:  not the grinches who won't let themselves enjoy Christmas but those with legitimate reasons that rob their joy. 
- People whose loved ones die unexpectedly as they're preparing for a Merry Christmas.
- People who have lost loved ones in previous years and relive the anniversary of that death year after year.  
- People who don't have loving families or a support system; who suffer from depression or mental illness; who live in terrible hardship and need and want.   
- People whose childhood memories of Christmas are so terrible  that it affects them for the rest of their lives. 

I ache for those people.  Because even if you strip away the tree and the gifts and the special food, this is still a season of joy with reason to  celebrate.  

The "Peace on Earth" that the stories and songs talk about should extend to the hearts and minds of all people. And I hate that it doesn't.

That's the only thing I don't like about Christmas.  

How about you?  Are there things you really hate about Christmas?