Well Developed Stories

We watched a "cute" Christmas movie on the TV last evening. It was called, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". Henry Winkler played the uncle in the story. I was satisfied with the ending of this movie. So many times, the endings are a disappointment. For instance, I read "A Christmas Grace" by Anne Perry. I liked the story but was disappointed in the ending. It seemed like it wasn't thought out well nor was it well developed. The author was tired of writing and just decided it was time to end the story. At the moment I'm reading a story by David Morrell called "The Spy Who Came For Christmas". I don't usually think about spies when I'm thinking of Christmas. I'm interested in seeing in what direction the author takes the reader. I hope that the ending is not a disappointment. I've ordered a couple of other Christmas stories from the library. One is about the man who wrote "The Christmas Carol". I'm not sure of the exact title of the book off hand. Another is a book of Irish Christmas stories. I like to read Christmas stories because the reader gets to enter the fictional lives of the characters and to view their holiday traditions and their culture. If it's a good story, it warms the heart. Christmas is a time when the "heart" seeks warmth more than at any other time of year. That's one of the reasons this holiday is so special to me.
I haven't been outside in the evening to see all of the lights people have used to decorated their homes. I'm going to try to get Mom to take a ride with me sometime next weekend so I can enjoy the lights with her. Seeing those also gives one a special feeling at this time of the year.
I wonder what story our Christmas celebration with family and friends will tell this year. I'm sure we all have favorite stories of Christmases past which we like to retell. One of the best Christmas presents I remember receiving was when I was ten years old. I got a pair of white figure ice skates. There was always a gift which felt more special than the others, although they were all appreciated. Merry Christmas to you all. May you feel the gift of love and friendship this holiday and may each gift you open be more special than the one before.