We've made it to another Christmas, our eighth one together as the Christmas past family.

Wherever you may be, and whoever you may be celebrating with, and however you may celebrate the day,

I hope it's a special day, filled with warmth and love and magic, with togetherness and laughter,

with warm memories and the makings of new ones. It's Christmas Day, and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We talked a lot this season about when the Christmas season actually begins and ends.

In the 12 Days of Christmas episode, we talked about how

these days we generally ease into the season just after Halloween, and then go full steam

just after Thanksgiving. However, traditionally, the season would begin on Christmas Day

and stretch through 12th night. We also talked about how we Americans are missing out on Boxing Day

the day after Christmas,

which is a proper holiday in England.

All of which is to say that today doesn't necessarily have to be the end of your Christmas

season if you don't want it to be.

Even if you disregard the 12 days and Boxing Day, I'll bet you'll still do like most people

do and leave up your decorations for another week or so.

But this is the last time

you'll be hearing from me for the 2023 season. So let's enjoy one more gather around the fire,

as we take a look back at the sights and sounds, the news and events that made this Christmas

what it was, because soon Christmas of 2023 will belong to Christmas past.

I'll start with a personal note.

Now that this season of episodes is completed, I can let you in on something.

This season of Christmas past almost didn't happen.

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