I love Christmas lights. They take a lawn turned brown and limbs made leafless – and a wonderland evolves. No matter the actual temperature, there is a warmth to the magic of it all. "I don't know why others do it but the smile of the wee ones is enough for me" said one mega-lighter dressed in a Santa Claus suit. The battery, of course. is the power of positive action driven by positive thinking.

It creates special and unusual Christmas gifts. It gives to a favorite charity an amount equal to that spent for Christmas gifts for self. It pledges to be more patient and kind in particular on Christmas day during the Christmas season and even more so on Christmas day.

Those wise men were wise indeed because they came giving gifts rather being more concerned with what they could get. It doesn't have to snow but it helps (it did snow here in Miami 30 plus years ago). So think of light and the warmth of a blazing fireplace and the warmth of love when you think of this special season. And, yes, be a part of each gift you give by being the best you "you" can give.

Be a light at the end of a tunnel instead of a source of angry darkness. There will be those on Christmas morn who pout and fuss and make sure others share their misery. Don't be one. We have a responsibility to make December 25th of each year better than any other day of the 365. To give joy and enjoy doing it. To give forgiveness and make it stick. To give prejudices their rightful home –  the garbage can. To fill your head and your heart with compassion.

Those lyrics on the angel hit parade really charge my battery. "I bring you good news of great joy."

What would you like for Christmas 2013?

It is more than unlikely that you will seek out the ingredients for an un-merry collection of weary attitudes and actions. Perhaps, like me, you'd like to find a proliferation of handshakes rather than fists; common sense rather than emotional disparity; peace rather than wrap-around desperation;, competent listening rather than unbridled bellowing.

I know I don't want to find bullets of anger delivered at warp speed, nor more pictures of the results of war let loose upon mankind.

A "Merry Christmas" is not an automatic. It is a decision made in the glow of what Christmas really is. It is you and me at our best rather than our worst.

What Christmas means to others may well get 100 different answers. Everything from red- nosed reindeer to red-bedecked Santa Claus. For some a joy because the family table is full; for others sadness because the years have taken their toll.

I know this: it is a heavenly novel with an eternal ending. And so I share some novel thoughts on what this celebration is all about.

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves. ~ Eric Sevareid

To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~ Oren Arnold

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