December 25th has never been just a date to me. It has always been my favorite holiday, probably more than my own birthday. Christmas is a day that we wake up early so that we can open our gifts or see our loved ones open the gifts we got them. Or even what Santa got us! Yes, I strived to believe in a big man wearing a big red suit with a white beard traveling the world in one night in a sleigh full of toys led by reindeer. I guess it is the magic of it all.

Let me take us back to the reason we celebrate it in the first place. Jesus Christ was born, hence the name Christ-mas. Mary, Jesus' mother, was a virgin, and God chose her to bare his only son. She gave birth to Jesus in a barn when there was no room for her in the Inn. There were also three shepherds and three wise men who followed a star to give gifts to baby Jesus. It was a night of miracles.

The old Christmas classic, "The Life and Adventure of Santa Claus," is one of my favorite movies that I haven't seen in years. It is a cute cartoon about how Santa Claus came to be. He was found as a baby in the Forest of Burzee. He is placed in the care of a lioness named Shiegra, and adopted by a nymph named Necile. Necile names him Claus, meaning 'Little One' in the nymphs' language. He grows up as a mortal boy. Ak, the master woodsman, takes the young man on a journey to show him how the other mortals (humans) like him were living. He doesn't understand why they were so sad and rude. This leads to Claus making the first toy and delivering toys. It is a must-see movie for Christmas.

Every Christmas for as long as I can remember when I go to my grandparent's house, we say grace before we have a big dinner together. We spend time together that we don't get to during the year. Then, we gather in the living room; the kids sit on the floor around the tree. We read the Nativity, or the birth of Jesus story before receiving and giving the gifts out.

Christmas to me is about family coming together, no matter what has happened all year round, and spending time together. Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts you can give during the holidays. Being a family means being able to forgive them. Trust me, it is harder than you think. I feel like I will be eating my words later because even my family has done somethings that I have been unforgiving about. But that will not stop me from spending time with them this Christmas. I love them and Christmas is so much better spending it with them, rather than working or being alone.

Merry Christmas everyone!