it's time to be nice to the people you can't stand

it's christmas time again.
i don't know what it is, but i always get down around this time of year. i don't think it's seasonal affective disorder, or any other type of psychological depression, but i think it more has to do with what this time of year has come to mean.
i won't get into the traditional rant about consumerism vs. the true meaning of christmas and all that, but i will say that it seems to be more of a stressful time than it should, or needs to be. i know i am under a lot of pressure this year with finals looming and what not, but just the basic spirit of the season is lacking.
just this morning i was in church and sang "rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel", i loved every second of it. i got chills singing the hymn because i know how much i desire for Christ to return now. i was hopeful for a new season of advent and for the first time in a long while was excited about christmas. so don't get me wrong, i haven't lost hope. i just don't know why there is so much stress involved in this whole process.
there's the yearly visit home, which although problematic, i have grown accustomed to and i do enjoy seeing my family. there just seems to be so much riding on things like setting up a tree and buying gifts and being cheerful; i almost can't handle it.
why do we let things like this come between us? why does the act of buying a plane ticket and planning a meal have to feel like pulling teeth? christmas was so bad the past couple of years that i vowed to my family that i was taking a year off next time around (i did not keep this vow), and this year isn't much more promising.
i guess i hope for a time of peace and rest, a time of real rejoicing in the historic arrival of our Lord and a time of promise and hope for His return. i don't care about trees and gifts. i guess they have their place and are fun and whatnot, but the whole thing stinks sometimes.
we are all jaded i guess, and maybe that adds to the disdain around the whole christmas 'tradition', but i opt for no decorations, no christmas 'show'. i want the real thing.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be on His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."--Isaiah 9.6 (NKJV)