"Tis the season to be jolly and joyous"

Several things happen to make Christmas what it is. Everything from the carol services, to the kids services, to watching the Muppet's Christmas Carol.
Christmas is something I never really appreciated. This year however, having for the first time taken a church through the Advent and Christmas story, I think I've taken it in in a new way. At the start of Advent I cut out letters for the church wall that say EMMANUEL and underneath (smaller) God is with us [I'm not starting a debate on Immanuel or Emmanuel).

Each Sunday we've talked about Jesus Christ, God with us, and rejoiced that the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongst us.

Now if that isn't a reason to be jolly and joyous i don't know what is!