This past Sunday, my pastor played the last few minutes of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which sent me into a spiral of wishing it were Christmas.

If you haven’t seen the movie, I won’t ruin it for you, but you have to watch it at least once in your life. You’ll fall in love with the main character, George Bailey, and wish you were as giving and noble as he is. (Clarence the angel is pretty lovable, too).

It’s just a classic Christmas movie that evokes a sense of wonder and reminds us of what is truly important. To me, Christmas embodies many of the important aspects of life we often let fall by the wayside, such as loving one’s neighbor, spreading good cheer and enjoying the moments we have. (I’m not talking about the material goods that often accompany the celebration of Christmas. Rather, I’m talking about the less tangible things that are vastly more valuable).

Not to mention that the celebration of Christmas commemorates the birth of the Light of the World. The good tidings of Christmas aren’t just about Christmas cookies and feel-good moments, but rather the best gift that was ever given. Despite the humble environment of a stable surrounded by animals and being placed in a manger, the one they would call “Immanuel” or “God With Us” was the hope and salvation that God had promised.

What’s not to celebrate about that?

I’m also looking forward to sharing the delights of the season with my family. I can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree, go to Vespers and enjoy the angelic singing or bake Christmas cookies that we’ll probably end up eating as we frost them. I am excited to drive around to see all the twinkling lights and hopefully build a snowman or two with the kiddo. I am also hopeful that I will be able to attend church on Christmas Eve this year for one of the most beautiful services that is held throughout the year.

Maybe this year, we’ll actually remember to purchase and finish an Advent Calendar. (I’m not making any promises.)

I know, I know – we haven’t even hit Halloween yet. The leaves just barely hit the ground, and I’m kindling the Yuletide spirit in my heart. I can’t help it though, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I think it’s just because of the warmth it inspires, and the joyous reminder of how lucky we all really are.

But I have to be careful. If I get started with the Christmas spirit too early, I’ll end up being burnt out by the time Christmas actually rolls around – after all, there’s only so many times you can sing “White Christmas” or watch the Charlie Brown’s Christmas Special.

I think one reason my heart is trying to fast-forward into the “hap-happiest season of all” is because there have been so many negative, grueling and upsetting things occurring this year that feel like they’ve got life in a vice at times. If it’s not politics, violence, corruption or disease, some other form of darkness is vying for our attention. In a society that tends to focus on the negative, it’s hard to try to remain positive against the barrage.

My heart, sensing that Christmas is only a hop, skip and a jump away, is attempting to reach out for the nearest bright spot it can find.

But friends, I am forgetting that it can be the most wonderful time of year every dayI don’t need to reach a few months into the future for glad tidings. Rather, I merely need to look to the Bible to find the light to guide my path. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all,” 1 John 1:5.

When we feel we are surrounded by darkness, we must realize that God has overcome it. We are not alone. We are not promised a walk through a garden of roses just because we accepted Christ, but we are left with the peace of Christ should we realize and accept it.

Do you remember that song from Sunday School about “This little light of mine?” Well, instead of letting the dark and bitter winds try to blow it out, why don’t we do what the song says and let it shine? Maybe we’d all be a little bit better off. And maybe we’d be able to hold off on watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on repeat until December.

I will still look forward to the Christmas season, but with this little light of mine burning away in my heart – I think I can wait a little while longer. After all, I know the full story, and I know what’s coming next.