I Believe in the Angel on Top of the Tree

I stomp through the snow and climb into my car, kicking my boots on the side of it to get the excess snow off. I reach for the temperature control and turn it all the way to the red. I drive through my neighborhood, letting my engine warm up, and then blast the heat. As I carefully drive down the streets, twinkling lights shine off the buildings in through my windows. People walk out of stores, dozens of bags in their hands. Festive music plays through my speakers, and though I have been listening to these same songs for over a month now, I have not tired of them. I love this time of year and everything about it.

I believe in walking into the crowded mall and seeing particular items that I would love to buy for people. I believe in watching a different movie every night up until the day to get in the spirit. I believe in bundling up and going sledding down towering hills. I believe in buying a real tree and decorating it with funky ornaments with my family while drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows. I believe in choosing to have a joyous attitude. I believe in greeting strangers with a smile. I believe in spending time with my family and seizing the opportunity to make people’s days. I believe in taking time to make presents and write cards to show my friends I care. I believe in celebrating Jesus’s birth.

It is now dark outside, and I pull back into my driveway. Thoughts circulate in my mind about where to hide the presents in my room and how to wrap them. I am greeted by the red and green lights shining down from my roof and the lit up Rudolph and Santa displays in my window. I wave at my neighbor; this time of year always seems to bring out the friendly attitude in people which is so often hidden deep down the rest of the year. I am filled with an overwhelming thankfulness for what I have been blessed with, for God’s gift to us, and for the people in my life and the opportunities accompanying them. I believe in Christmas.