Christmas Eve. 6:18 in the morning. I’ve been awake for a bit and I’m tempted not to wake Angela to go shopping with me. I love this time of the year! I think I have some of the weirdest traditions, but who cares. This is the best. 🙂

Just so everyone doesn’t think that I’m a heartless consumer throughout the holidays, I really want to feel Christmasy. And it is really weird – over the past few years when I worked at the large corporate behemoth, I sort of feel that I had lost the holiday spirit. I really enjoyed this holiday season more than I have in the last 4-5 years.

The only thing that I regret was not being able to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special on television. I need to pick up that box set. Who doesn’t get choked up when, during the Christmas play, the lights dim and Linus steps forward and recites:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Granted, a tad religous but that is essentially what this season is about isn’t it? Well, if you’re a Christian. Maybe there should be a Jewish version where Linus talks of burning oil that should have lasted for one day for eight days.

In any event, Merry Christmas! Be safe and take care. I’m going to go get ready now to see what kind of carnage is at the Mall.