Redominatelife

Why Christmas Has Always Been My Favorite Holiday

Before I ever saw snow or even knew who Santa Claus was, Christmas was already my favorite holiday.

Growing up, it had nothing to do with jingling bells or red-suited gift givers. Christmas meant something deeper to me. It was a time of reconnection, a once-a-year chance to see family that distance had scattered. Sometimes we traveled long distances just to be together, and that journey itself became part of the magic.

The highlight? The food. Specifically, having a whole goat or chicken was a monumental part of the celebration. That wasn’t an everyday thing. It was rare and special. Preparing and sharing that meal felt like a sacred ritual. The air would fill with familiar aromas, and laughter would echo from room to room as everyone contributed in some way. I waited an entire year for those flavors and those moments.

As I grew older, my understanding of the world evolved. I shifted from a religious framework to a more spiritual one. But interestingly, that change only deepened my love for Christmas. Without the structure of dogma, I found myself embracing the spirit behind the holiday even more: togetherness, generosity, gratitude, reflection.

Now, Christmas to me is not bound to snow or stockings. It is still my favorite holiday because it represents connection—with family, with memory, with something greater. It reminds me that even if life moves fast, there are moments built to make us pause, celebrate, and come home to ourselves and to each other.

And yes, even now, if there’s goat or chicken on the table, it’s a very good Christmas.

Until next time..