Ever notice how all the Christmas songs are love songs? My man pointed that out to me on the phone last night. The thing about the holidays is that they are traditionally spent with loved ones. And so whether you have no one “special,” or your “special someone” is miles away, you still feel lonely.

It’s not Christmas yet, but so far I’ve managed to keep the Christmas blues at bay. Part of it could have to do with the love letters I keep getting in the mail. Or the flat rate priority mail box filled with no less than 9 presents for me to unwrap, all from my man. Part of it could be the fact that he’s coming to see me for New Year’s. And part of it could be simply that I’m trying to stay cheerful so he will.

But when I re-read what I wrote back in 2002, I realize that a lot has changed. In fact, I am the one who is sending out a Christmas letter filled with the news I scorned reading in others’: the happiest of courtships that began on February 23, 2005.

So maybe it will encourage some of you who are feeling blue this year, to know that God can do a lot between one Christmas and another. Merry Christmas! And God bless us, every one!

“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas,” croons the old song…but mine will be blue this year. Every year it gets a little harder. And this year is the worst yet. Romance is in the air all around. Two good friends got married this year. One is expecting a baby come spring. The other just sent me romantic pictures of she and her hubby together with a Christmassy background. Then there’s my friend who just got engaged, and another who will soon. And the rest have a special guy.

All around me is romance and cheer, weddings and babies. But I sit in the corner, alone. No man is singing, “Just put a ribbon in your hair, darlin’.” No baby calls me “mamma.” There’s no one to meet under the mistletoe.

Somewhere maybe a guy is waiting. But he better hurry up. Tonight I’m lonely and blue.

What is it about this time of year? Why does the chill in the air, the snow on the trees, and the fire on the hearth make us all wish for someone to cuddle up with? Why do all the Christmas songs have romance mixed into their lyrics? And why do Christmas carols floating from the radio make me feel sappy?

There should be a law against Christmas movies ending with happy couples smooching on the screen. And it should be illegal to announce your engagement during the holiday season.

Why is it at Christmastime that everyone who is in love or engaged has to tell you how wonderful it is? Why do the married couples rub it in by kissing under the mistletoe every chance they get? And why are all the Christmas letters filled with news of more weddings and new babies?

I’m ready to ban Christmas. Forget the gifts and the goodies—I want a man. A man to love and cherish me all the days of our life…a man to spend sixty Christmases with me, seventy if the Lord allows. I want a man to sweep me into his arms and kiss me at the mere mention of those green leaves.

But until that time, I don’t want to see another sprig of mistletoe tied with red ribbon. Wherever you are, my dear, please hurry. ‘Cause with Elvis Presley I’m singing, “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.”