Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter!

Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call

Their favorite time of the year

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Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

Of love and dreams to share

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Sleigh bells in the air

Beauty everywhere

Yuletide by the fireside

And joyful memories there

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Christmas time is here

We'll be drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year...

So it's Christmastime and I really wish I could say I'm in the Christmas mood, but I don't think I can say that until my Christmas spirit reaches full peak - and for some reason this year, it's not there yet. So, to motivate my Christmas cheer, here is a list of things I LOVE about this time of year.

• Thinking about the Incarnation. Mind baffling, humbling and intense love. Thank you, Jesus.

• December. It's just a good month. It's cold, but it's a soft cold. Not the pre-winter sloppy cold of September October and November, or the harsh, biting cold of January and February, or the wet, messy cold of March and April. It just seems - quiet.

• Right now, the house across the street from my apartment looks like it could be on the cover of a Martha Stewart mag. It has beautiful twinkle lights on its front porch and upstairs balcony, and its age softens it into the landscape of the street. I'm not big on Martha, but this house is downright charming, and it's great to see that every night. Speaking of my street, the houses on it are just great period. They're old, but renovated and alive with character. There are also lots of trees on my street that are blanketed in snow and deepen the charm and attraction of my little street.

• Peppermint hot chocolate, Egg Nog, Chai and Chai Nogs. Duh.

• All the great Christmas movies (Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, It's A Wonderful Life, The Grinch, White Christmas, the list goes on.)

• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Best Christmas book, hands down.

• Last but not least - CHRISTMAS MUSIC! The Messiah, All the classic hymns, all the old school stuff we used to listen to with my dad (yes, Amy Grant is included in that list), and all the cheesy Christmas songs it's fun to blast at the top of your lungs (thank you, Mariah Carey.) Speaking of Christmas music, this song is one of my latest favorites that is helping to get me in the snowy, Christmasy mood.

There. Now that I've got all that out, I think I'm feeling more Christmasy already. There are so many other things that could go on that list, but those are the highlights. Merry Christmas season! Only 21 days left...