Scrooge....after the visits from the 3 ghosts

A few days ago, I posted a blog on the things that annoy me about the Christmas season. So that I don't come off as a total Scrooge, herewith I list the things I love about this holiday:

Christmas Eve service and singing "Silent Night" in the candlelight. Every year, although it only lasts about 30 - 45 minutes, this simple service gives me a feeling of peace I cannot describe in words.

Pumpkin pie, my cousin's 14-layer chocolate cake, and homemade eggnog. Yes they are worth the calories.

The children's Christmas program at my church. It always centers around the telling of the Nativity, and the youngest children in the church are the animals. When those little 1-, 2- and 3-year old sheep, cows and donkeys walk down that church aisle, complete with tails and little ears, I defy anyone not to grin from ear to ear and say "AWWWW!!!" Absolutely ADORABLE

Breakfast at my sister's house on Christmas morning. It's nothing fancy, just normal breakfast stuff, but the food is wonderful and the together time in the lights of the Christmas tree is even better.

Christmas music. My mother is a talented musician and music is a huge part of her life. The Christmas music I grew up listening to has become an important and vital part of my personal holiday celebration.

Family traditions - The gathering of my dad's side of the family every Christmas Eve; our family's routine on Christmas morning. The traditions have changed over the years as our lives have evolved and changed, but the traditions of the past and the present serve to make us who we are.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Enough said.

Decorating my house and hanging the stockings on the mantle. Last year I got new ones for Powder and me and put our names on them. This year I'll add a third one…one that says "Peggy", for my mom.

Once again, decorating the tree with the very fragile and cherished Christmas tree ornaments from my childhood. I have about a dozen of them, and even though a few of them have chipped paint or are worn in spots, they're still beautiful to me and represent my growing up years and the memories associated with those years. And now that my dad has passed on, those ornaments are even more precious to me.

The smells – evergreen, cinnamon, apples, pumpkin pie, sugar cookies baking.

The shining eyes of children at all the sights and sounds.

Smiling at a stranger and saying "Merry Christmas".

Christmas caroling.

Food for thought: There is nothing on earth more peaceful than sitting in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, the gifts wrapped and under the tree, with a fire going, drinking hot cocoa or good coffee, watching "A Christmas Carol" on the DVD player, while the wind howls outside and the thermometer dips into the 30's. I wouldn't trade those moments for all the money in the world, would you?

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year, everyone!