'Tis the season of light and love

I believe in Christmas. It's the name of the holiday I grew up with, so I don't feel inclined to change it. It doesn't hold any particular religious meaning to me but it does inspire the best in me. Generosity. Childlike wonder. Love of those closest to me and a feeling of camaraderie with strangers I meet.

I believe in hanging lights outside to brighten up the dark winter night. Maybe I only see them when I go from my house to the car, or out for my evening walk. But it is my offering to the neighbors on my street. And to the young girl who lives inside of me.

[Life is good at Christmas]

I believe in Hallmark movies that are entirely too corny but hold a common theme of love and family and tightknit communities. The main characters are nearly always morally strong and righteous, or they find their way, guided by the Christmas spirit. I believe in the Christmas spirit.

I believe in buying 10 hot pizzas for the teen drop-in center on Christmas Eve. Those kids really need families, or rehab, or a warm place to sleep. But gifts are not always about what people need. For an hour, or maybe only a minute, some of those teens can be kids again, eating melted cheese at a pizza party.

I believe in the Salvation Army Santa Claus. And I believe in calling him by his proper name when I give my spare change: "Merry Christmas, Santa!"

I believe in ice skating under a full moon, and going outside as much as possible to see the secrets that are only revealed in the wintertime. I believe in one-piece snowsuits that are now hard to find. They keep the cold and snow from going under my coat on the back side. I believe in stopping for a minute to witness snow falling under a streetlight.

[A mom couldn't afford Christmas gifts for her kids. She turned to Craigslist for help]

I believe in hot drinks and taking it easy on the treats. Sweetness is more of an inner quality anyway, one that is cultivated by affection from young children, more so than Hershey's kisses. But I do believe in bringing out special bowls to fill with chocolate, and trays of sugar cookies to eat and decorate with frosting.

I believe in the white bird that showed up on our doorstep last Christmas, after a loved one's passing. He stayed for a long time. I believe there is more to life than what meets the eye and I appreciate this time of year that makes space for magical thinking and childlike tendencies. It's a gift. Maybe it's even necessary.

Chantelle Pence is the author of "Homestead Girl: The View From Here."

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com.