"Many people around us are in Christmas stress, but it does not affect us...." That was a line from an email I received from my dearest friend Paula.

How on earth did Christmas become related with the words like stress, rush, and hussle? Didn't Christmas happen on a silent night? Isn't the archetypal image of Christmas that of a baby in a manger under the adoring and loving gaze of his loving parents, with a few animals who were fortunate to the there on that magical night, and a few humble shepherds who came to pay homage to the Christ child? Isn't that one of the most peaceful and stress free image that one can ever imagine?

So how did it get from that lovely image to...

David: "We have got to get our Christmas shopping done this week because it would be such a pain to go to the malls during the holidays. We better prepare our list."

Gilda? "Yes we better get that done before we run out of time. I wonder what Leslie wants us to bring for dinner. Oh, and we got to have our Christmas decorations put up as well. Shall we get a bigger tree?"

Or to dreading the thought of going down the basement to unwrap boxes of carefully packed (last year's) Christmas decorations and worrying that I would not have enough pieces to decorate a house three times bigger than the apartment I decorated last year?

After procrastinating for days, I finally got my act together and started preparing the house for Christmas. I decided to make the wreath first (above picture) and, to my surprise, that exciting feeling which only Christmas can bring, made itself felt. I started to have fun.

I assembled the Christmas tree, decorated the mantle, placed a second wreath above the fireplace, and hanged our stockings. When that was done, I gave David the honor of putting the Christmas angel above the tree. (I was right about not having enough materials. I still need to get a few more decorations to put on the mantle).

I even gave our "Welcome Lady" some apples, chocolates, gold pines and Christmas balls to greet our guests with.

What is this mystery, that an event which happened over 2000 years ago, still brings its magic to the present?

How many times have I told some family members and friends that I would not be giving presents for Christmas (except to the kids) because I would rather save my bonus, yet as Christmas draws near (usually on the 23rd) I would find myself getting presents for family and friends?

What is it about Christmas that makes people think of giving, sharing and doing special acts of kindness? 

Whatever it is, I am most grateful that it comes every year to remind us of some very special things in life... giving, sharing and doing special acts of kindness.