It’s that wonderful time of year again. I eagerly took my Holiday tree out of storage and started trimming it soon after Thanksgiving. When finished I put the Holiday Angel at the very top then stood back and admired how stately it looked in front of my window, but something was missing.

So I got out all my Holiday decorations and proceeded to turn my apartment into a Holiday winter wonderland. The Holiday tree and the Holiday finery made the apartment look cozy and warm, but something was missing.

So I went shopping for Holiday presents. I brought them home and wrapped them in beautiful Holiday paper and ribbon and placed them under the Holiday tree. They gave the room a festive look, but something was missing.

So I went out and bought Holiday lights to put around the outside of my front room window. They really brightened up the night as they framed my Holiday tree, but something was missing.

So I got out my CDs of Holiday music and let the sounds of Holiday carols fill every room, but something was missing!

So I went out and purchased my Holiday greeting cards. I sat on the floor in front on my Holiday tree, listening to carols and carefully addressed my Holiday cards to friends and loved ones. I put them in a beautiful Holiday basket ready to be taken to post office. It felt so good to have that done, but something was missing.

So I made a cup of Holiday eggnog and just sat back and looked around the room. It looked so magical in its Holiday splendor, but something was missing.

So I turned my thoughts back to the past when excitement, anticipation, wonder and awe filled our home during this holiday season, but now something was missing.

Suddenly in the quiet of that moment it became very clear. I knew what was missing! It was CHRISTMAS! Somewhere along the way someone in their misguided wisdom decided to replace “Christmas” with “Holiday” and I, like a sheep following the flock, almost got caught up in it! Fortunately, my common sense came to the fore in time and I realized the error of my ways.

Now, as I sit before my splendid Christmas tree in my warm and cozy front room and feel the chills up and down my spine as I listen to the beautiful Christmas carols I even lend my voice to a few of them. A smile crosses my face as I look at the Christmas presents under the tree all done up in beautiful Christmas wrap and ribbon and filled with love for those I care about. I look at the twinkling Christmas lights that give off a soft and comforting glow and suddenly joyous tears come to my eyes. I am remembering and enjoying the true meaning of Christmas. I feel loved and secure in my surroundings and nothing is missing, except ...

I wish you all a joyous and very, very “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”


Sacramento resident Joey Franklin, retired from more than three decades of full-time work in the newspaper business, now writes a monthly column for Spectrum.