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I believe in the magic of Christmas. I can still hear the bells ring on Christmas day. I like to sing Christmas carols even though I am never really in tune. I am a kid at heart and I never want to grow up. The holidays appeal to me. They give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. It makes my heart smile.

I can remember the joy I felt on Christmas day. My family wasn't very rich and there were plenty of us but we all got a little something on Christmas day. Then we gathered together and ate a big dinner. We'd fall asleep that night with a full belly, something new, and a candy cane stuck in our hair. Life was great.

I think about the way it felt to be surprised, the way it still feels. I would never take that from a child. I don't know why anyone would. Remember how good we felt as kids? Why take that from our own?

It burns me up to even think that people would want to pick apart things so badly that they would start pulling apart Christmas. There are children starving, and troops dying but people are worried about picking apart traditions and customs that have been around long before we were.

Several years back, I was stunned when I saw a sign that said "Merry Xmas." To me, that was just plain obscene. If your religion is the reason you choose to take his name from the holiday then perhaps you shouldn't be celebrating his birthday anyhow?

Then a few years ago, places quit saying "Merry Christmas." And replaced it with "Season's Greetings." Why must we be so picky about a name? It doesn't matter what you call it, if you don't know the true reason for the season. People should be caring and sharing. They should be helping others and showing love.

On it goes. The other day, I heard that Santa Claus could no longer say "ho-ho-ho" because it offends women. Now, he must say "ha-ha-ha" Come on, you are kidding right? Are people that worried about their self-esteem that a man dressed in red could no longer say his famous catch phrase?

What about the birth of Christ? Doesn't anyone remember the Christmas story anymore? I think everyone needs a tradition or a custom. We all need a reason to celebrate. We need something to look forward to. We deserve the reward of anticipation. Slowly, things are changing. Why can't it all remain the same? Today and everyday, we need to look past definitions to words and quit picking things apart.

We should be glad for family and friends. Diamonds don't mean love. A new car isn't the way to a woman's heart. Over commercializing the holiday is becoming an even worse problem. People are judged by the presents they give and receive. In my home, it is about the children. Seeing them smile is our only Christmas wish. We should all invite the holidays with child like eyes, glad to breathe another day and thankful for family. Being together is what it should always be all about.

Learn more about this author, Laura Leigh Fields.
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