For many people, December is their favorite month and I believe the reason is quite obvious. Christmas. The one day when people forget all the bad and celebrate the joy in the world. That is one reason for me, but I will start at the beginning of the month first.

December 6. Twenty years ago I was born on this day. From the beginning, December is a month of celebration for me. I mean, who doesn't love celebrating their birthday? My best friend in elementary school's birthday was the day before mine, December 5, so we got to celebrate together.

December 16. Ten years ago my uncle Todd got married to a wonderful woman, my aunt Kristin. Now they have two beautiful children and a third on the way. This day symbolizes growth in my family. At first, myself and some of my siblings, especially my sister, were not the most fond of this union, but now I don't know what pour family would be like without Kristin and the fashion and organization she has brought into our crazy, hectic Hubbard family.

December 18. Nine years ago my youngest brother was born. At first I was not too happy that he was born so close to my birthday, and as a fifth grader at the time I think those feelings are understandable. His birth did mean that I was not the only December birthday. This made me feel less lonely on the birthday spectrum, as most of the birthdays in my family are from January to August.

December 24. Christmas Eve. This is the night that my family usually opens one gift from each other. In the past couple of years my sister and I have spent part of it with our friend Keeley's family. After these two events we go to the 11 p.m. service at our church where we get to ring in Christmas with people who feel the same way about Christmas and what it is really about as my family does.

December 25. Christmas Day. A day for most people that is just about waking up early and getting presents and eating food until you think you are going to be sick. In my house it means something completely different. Yes, we still get up early and open gifts and eat until we are sick, but that is not the only thing we do. We read the Christmas story out of the bible to remember why we celebrate at all. We celebrate because 3,000 years ago Jesus was born. We always make a cake and sing happy birthday. We give gifts as a representation of the ultimate gift that was given to us, the ultimate symbol of love. WE call all of our family because they are all out of state, and wish them Merry Christmas. This year we will go to church instead of Christmas Eve because Christmas is on a Sunday.

December 31. New Year's Eve. The day that everyone sits around and reminisces on the past year and makes resolutions for the new year that will most likely not be kept. A day that, in my house, we stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop in New York City on the television and drink sparkling grape juice out of the fancy china glasses.

For me, December represents more than just Christmas and Christmas presents and food. December is my favorite month.