Today is Christmas Eve (morning). I am looking forward to all it brings, including lots of kids and grandkids, as well as a friend or two.

This has been a monumental Christmas season. I lost my job a few weeks. It gave me plenty of time to be with family, make preparations and enjoy the time.

I have watched a ton of lights, seen a bunch of Christmas movies and already eaten too much.

Over the years I have observed people get upset, angry even about Christmas. This year folks seemed to tired to care. Worn down, even. Heck, there was only a handful of nativity fights.

If I have but a word or two of advice, it is this…

Don’t let the world win. Celebrate Christmas your way. Don’t let it take away your peace or remove your love for it. Rest when you need to and go when you can!

Enjoy your family and your friends. I am so grateful for both.I have so many wonderful friends, I could not count them, nor would I try. They are there for me and I for them. I want to simply say “thanks” for all they are to me.

Bring about a tradition or two in your family. Whether it is chasing light displays or making cookies.

This year I wrote a book about Christmas. What it meant to me, some of my celebrations and even some of the difficult times for me. I really do understand what it is to have a child in the hospital or a relative die. I put in traditions and thinking. My hope and my heart was it might plant a seed or two in young families and remind those of us who are older, traditions can be good!

Bless each one of you in this Christmas whirlwind!