Artists are making renditions of classic Christmas music. The winter cold is turning the tip of my nose pink. Small beads of lights, strung up in and around buildings, are brightening up the night. A miasma of green and red invade candy wrappers and wrapping paper. This can only mean one thing: Christmas is near.

I can’t quite put my finger on why I love Christmas. My family was never one to celebrate it. I’ve never experienced those huge, family, holiday reunions with a feast of home cooked foods that I’ve seen on television. I remember having a Christmas tree in the house only once in my life. Of course, I still receive presents from friends and family but that is the only form of celebration I have ever had. But the gifts are not what draw me to Christmas.

The frost of Christmas is different than any other cold. I just love feeling the cold of the air brushing my skin and the warmth of being home. I smile when I see people bundled up in layers of jackets, gloves, boots, and scarves. Everybody walking down the streets have friendly countenances. The shopping, watching other people searching for that perfect gift for their perfect someone and doing the same, hoping that your gift will be appreciated brings a feeling of faint unification. The smile that spreads across a friends face is just priceless.

But there are those who struggle to smile or keep warm during the holidays. There are those who have families and worry about food and shelter. There are those who cannot give gifts and cannot see the smiles that follow.

But there are those who help, those who give, and those who provide the food and the shelter and the gifts for those who cannot provide themselves with those things. Ojai Valley School is participating in a local community service activity called Adopt-a-Family. Together, our students bought gifts, food, money, and other necessities to make the holidays an easier time for families who have been struck with poverty.

I guess what makes Christmas special is the coming-togetherness and the I-want-to-make-others-smileness about it. Christmas always fills my heart to the brim with joy and its holly jolly music never fails to put a smile on my face. This month is just a perfect way to top the year off and begin a new year fresh and with a new list of resolutions.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I’m sure it is for many others around the world as well. So make sure you fill your cups up to the brim with hot chocolate, sip some eggnog, and watch the bubbles rise in your glass of apple cider. Observe the people around you, feel the happy vibes, and take it all in. Christmas only comes once a year after all.