Hate is such a strong word, but the closer it gets to Christmas, the more miserable I become.

I would like a Christmas where my parents and my husbands parents were together. All of this divorce and remarriage really takes a toll on a family all year, but really at Christmas. Do people ever think of the consequences that never ressolve in these situations. The only stability I see in life is inside the walls of my own house. Thank God for my God-fearing husband at Christmas and all year.

...I saw a man blow his car horn at a pregnant woman holding the hand of her little girl as they passed through a pedestrian crossing in front of a mall. I guess he is having a little trouble getting into the Christmas Spirit. What a jerk!

I am not the same person as before. I have been a follower of Jesus for 2 1/2 years. I have been saved for a little longer than that but that awesome day I was baptized, in my books, began my "Official" walk with our Lord. Each Christmas since, my outlook on life has been different and I am thankful for the blessings in my life. I am not comparing myself or my family or my situation or health to anyone else. God provides and He provides exactly what we need.

WOW!!! I love Christmas - I always have. It's a wonderful time of year. The music is great - the lights are great - and the 'reason for the season' is the best thing of all. So HOW COME it's the one time of year when you can feel SO overwhelmed and stressed out!?

After watching one of the best old-time animated Christmas Shows...Rudodolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. This is such an awesome time to share with your kids and just pass down the traditions of spending time together. Wow - just great memories of time well spent with my family during the holidays. That is what it is all about!

It has been years since Christmas was enjoyable to me. It has been something I dread. More traffic, rude people, selfishness abound. I pretty much stay out of everyone’s way. I give to something charity every Christmas in an attempt to get to the real meaning of giving, because buying has become more of a necessary chore than a true spirit of giving. There is an unspoken attitude that if you give a homemade or thought out gift you are cheap. I am lucky that my family does not think in such a manner including my wife’s family. So we keep it simple and keep to ourselves.

I love Christmas and all the things associated with it...buying gifts, wrapping gifts, decorating, baking, parties, wearing something new to church on the Sunday before Christmas but I hate being with my family on Christmas Day. I love being with my immediate family (husband, kids).

My grandmother passed away in 2001 and since then the family has not been as close. Everyone seems to be in a bad mood at all the holidays especially at Christmas time. Someone in my family always gets upsets and causes a big scene. I just want a normal, relaxing holiday. What is normal though?

You know what? I only get Christmas day off this year. That means that my family gets to go see relatives and I don’t. Not that I was looking forward to seeing folks that complain every time something goes wrong, but I just want the time off to be with MY family.

You know what? I feel that every business in America should allow its employees the week between Christmas and New Years the opportunity (if they want) to spend time with friends and family.

If you are having a difficult time in finding the "reason for the season", just a take a ride over to CMC Levine Children's Hospital - Pediatic Oncology floor. Here, your heart will break for parents who are suffereing watching their children suffer. But, you know what else you will see --- SMILES galore from these young patients who know the magic of Christmas is upon them, and Santa will be here soon.