For 2-3 weeks, I've been walking around singing Christmas songs. Just doing what came naturally. Then the CD of the most depressing Christmas Special ever, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" went into the work computer. Then last week, I did my annual Truman Capote Christmas Read. There's nothing like a sentimental Christmas cry to get you in the proper holiday mood. Then Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," of course. On Christmas Eve after service, I searched cable for the classic film version only to find, in my opinion, the inferior 1938 predecessor to the 1951 Alastair Sim version.

Anyway, something was still missing. And I realized it was that no one was wishing me "Merry Christmas." I like "Merry Christmas." "Happy Holidays" is something your milk carton says to you. "Merry Christmas" brings to mind Baby Jesus in the manger, shepherds, big stars and Glory To God In The Highest and on Earth Peace to Men of Goodwill. And kids and carols and snow falling. So, yeah, my focus is sentimental. Definitely. And hopeful. And, if you look for Christmas in the right places, you receive little pointers on living a good life. I like that. And I like the Merry Christmas shortcut to all that. So, for a week or so, if I wish you a Merry Christmas and it's not entirely appropriate, would it be asking too much if you think of it as "Have a Nice Day on December 25"?