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Too frequently, adults can be heard muttering the words "I'll be happy when Christmas is over and life can return to normal," amid their frustrations regarding gift-buying and all the other preparations leading up to the holiday.
However, let the truth be told: Christmas melts the hearts of even the most "sour souls" among us who proclaim, as the holiday season is getting underway, that they do not have time for it.
By the time Christmas Eve -- today -- arrives, most are caught up too in the preparations that have been consuming others around them for weeks.
The last thing most of the grumbling procrastinators want to do is disappoint their spouse, children and other relatives who are part of their holiday traditions.
For most families with young children, this last day before Christmas is a day of excitement and anticipation -- excitement and anticipation visible clearly on kids' faces and even on the faces of parents determined to make their children's holiday memorable and bright.
Unfortunately, some families' holidays are lacking in those respects.
The real world has a knack for inflicting setbacks and challenges inconsistent with what this time is about, specifically, the commemoration of Jesus Christ's birth on earth in the town of Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago.
A meaningful exercise today might be to reflect on those who will not have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday, whether it be because of family crises, health issues, a death or deaths over the past 12 months, unemployment or just despair for whatever reason, including the limitations COVID-19 has imposed on people's lives.
Where possible, express some kindness in the spirit of Christ's earthly mission, whether by direct help to someone or, simply, encouragement.
You might never come to know the broad, positive impact of that gesture, but people who regularly do good do not need praise or other reinforcement in return for the kindnesses they extend to others.
Besides joining in the excitement that their children are feeling as they await Santa Claus' arrival, parents have a great opportunity to impart a message gently that, hopefully, the children will grow to appreciate more with each passing year.
That message is that Christmas should be accompanied by a sense of gratitude, even if not all wanted gifts are received.
Children need to begin realizing at some point early-on that the basic building block of having parents who love them and care for them is more important than something that might be concealed in bright wrapping paper, waiting to be torn open on Christmas morning.
For parents, numerous instructive-to-children opportunities are available over the holidays beyond the basic, obvious ones of refraining from careless driving and refraining from excessive alcohol consumption. Rather, demonstrate interest in the joys that your children and partner are experiencing.
Christmas Day is a day of celebration, but Christmas Eve is the important piece of the holiday experience when all the details should come together for the best, most meaningful holiday possible.
What you might need to do in your own life to achieve that result -- while avoiding tension and frustration along the way -- should be obvious to you.