Sure, it's become too commercialized and the true meaning for celebrating it has been lost on society for decades now and going anywhere in public anywhere near Christmas can bring out the Grinch in anyone. Regardless that it isn't what it once was, I still find a great deal of joy around Christmas.

Christmas for me brings back fond memories of wonderful times spent with the ones I love the most. Some of those loved ones are no longer with me and often the hustle of everyday life leaves little time for thinking of them but I find myself remembering them fondly this time of year.

I'll be celebrating my 48th Christmas this year and thought I would share some fond memories that hold a special place in my heart.

I remember the excitement and anticipation of Santa's visit every year when I was a child. My inability to fall asleep on Christmas Eve at a reasonable time and waking up way too early the next morning with my brothers to run to the living room and see what gifts we had been brought during those few hours we had actually slept. I know our excitement probably brought a great deal of joy to my parents knowing they had come through again and made their children happy.

Christmas Eve was spent at my grandparent's house. We would gather for supper with all of my aunts and uncles and cousins waiting for the sun to go down as that was the time we would get to open gifts. The tradition was that all of the grandkids had to sing Christmas carols before we were allowed to open presents. Getting us started was always a chore and my grandfather always ended up kicking things off with "Silent Night". He's been gone for about twenty-five years now but his voice is as vivid in my head as anything I can remember.

I have memories of gifts that I just knew I wasn't going to get for one reason or another yet somehow my parents made it happen. We were a family of five and my dad was the sole earner so we didn't exactly get things we wanted but somehow the presents we wanted always seemed to show up under that tree on Christmas morning.

As an adult, I remember going out of my way to make Christmas special for my children the way my parents did for me so I have fond memories of the joy in the eyes of my kids at Christmas.

Christmas is now spent with my extended family- my wife's parents, her brothers and sisters, and all of my nieces and nephews. While you don't get to choose those people (they are just kind of bundled when you find that love of your life and marry her) I couldn't have asked for a better group of people. Not one bad apple in the bunch. Each and every one of them embraced me as family from the moment I entered their lives and there isn't anything they wouldn't do for me.

I hope each and every one of you can reflect on fond memories of your experiences and your loved ones this season and find joy and peace.

God bless each and every one of you and Merry Christmas to you all!