The Christmas season is upon us, and while there are many reasons for us to sit back and have the Ebenezer Scrooge attitude about this most wonderful time of year, we urge you to think more like Tiny Tim.

And let’s celebrate the season as it is intended to be celebrated — enjoying each other’s company, sharing the gifts we can give and relishing in the festivities that will, no doubt, transform us from the Bah-Humbug thoughts of yesterday into the Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas hopes of today.

One way to do that is by taking advantage of all the many ways to get into the holiday spirit, like last week’s Christmas kickoff in Newton Grove, where that town’s annual parade meanders around the circle.

That should have got you into the holiday mood, now just keep adding to as the season moves into full force. Tonight, for example, begins the final three performances of the Sampson Community Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Then on Saturday, rise and shine early and head to downtown Clinton to save a prime spot for the annual Clinton Christmas parade, which promises to be one of the best the town has ever offered.

The sun is supposed to be shining, and the slightly chilly air, expected to warm quickly, will add just the right combination to ensure that it feels like Christmas. Then watch and listen as an assortment of colorful floats line the streets, sandwiched between area high school bands which will be playing holiday tunes as they meander down College Street to Main Street and around the Courthouse.

Once the parade is over, go Christmas shopping — locally. Just strolling through the aisles of some of our downtown stores will put you in the holiday spirit, and taking time to visit other local shops around Clinton and in the local shopping centers, looking at their decorations and listening to their Christmas music, will help lift your spirits and have you humming even as you head to your cars.

Then, mark your calendar for next Friday night, Dec. 14, when the town of Roseboro will host the county’s only night Christmas parade, a treat in so many ways.

There will be a chill in the air, lights will be shining brightly and jolly old Saint Nick might even make an appearance. What better way to spend a Friday night than by bundling up the children, or the parents, taking along some warm hot chocolate and heading down N.C. 24 west to Roseboro to enjoy the sights and sounds of that town’s Christmas celebration.

It steps off at 7 p.m. so go and enjoy.

Follow that up a few days later, by heading down to Harrells on Tuesday, Dec. 18 for that town’s annual Sing Around the Tree. Festivities get started at 6 p.m.

And, after the shopping and the parades and the other events, take in one of the many Christmas cantatas, children’s Christmas plays and live nativities that are being held from now until Dec. 25.

It will remind us why we really celebrate this most magical and wonderful time of year.

Then before you know it, the Christmas spirit will have filled your soul, you’ll be kinder without even realizing why and you’ll smile more … just because.

And like Scrooge you’ll be repeating Tiny Tim’s words and meaning them — God bless us everyone.