Christmastime is, without hesitation, the best season of the year. I love it. But, I also enjoy the things that go along with it, especially the music.

Saturday night I found myself, as I sometimes do, in a very gloomy state and recalling the lyrics from Frank Sinatra's 'Same Old Saturday Night.' My second favorite thing in the world, the Irish of Notre Dame, had just lost to the USC Trojans and I was in the depths of a depression only a young, Catholic football fan can know.

What was my cure, you may inquire? The truth may surprise you.

It was not hard liquor, nor drugs, nor freshman girls nor even Milwaukee's Best Light. On this wretched October night, I took my plight to a higher authority. It was music inspired by the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ! If God has a voice, I think I would like it to be that of Bing Crosby singing either 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman' or 'Christmas in Killarney.'

If you should ever be in need of some extra comfort while at school, get your hands on some of this classic Christmas music. I would compare it to a good old-fashioned non-prescription antidepressant, if you will, kind of like a Prozac or Zoloft, only with bells.

Unless you're the Grinch, and you like to beat up the Who's in Whoville during your free time, it should do wonders. To really pull yourself out of a bad spot, try closing your eyes and attempting this brief meditation.

Imagine it's the early 1960s. You're sitting in your modest living room on a comfortable camel back sofa with the smell of a blue spruce filling the air. And this divinely inspired Christmas music fills your ear lobes. If that isn't heaven, I don't know what is. There is no purer a joy, I believe, than the sound of some old Christmas tunes playing after dinner on Dec. 25. This Norman Rockwell-type scene of Christmas is something that I hope I will always be able to enjoy.

If I could live out one movie in real life it would be the 1993 film 'Groundhog Day' with an ever so slight alteration. I would change the focus of the holiday from revolving around Punxsutawney Phil to revolving around Jesus Christ.

In other words, I would switch the holiday to Christmas. Some of you may remember this film starring Bill Murray and his character Phil Connors who must relive 'Groundhog Day' until he learns to become a better person. I highly suggest it.

While I don't usually kick-off my Christmas time season until after I watch Home Alone over Thanksgiving weekend, nor do I suggest it either, I thought I would get started a little early this year. Everyone could use a little extra Yule-tide joy and goodwill.

Well, I'm off to borrow my friends late model import and take a drive to the mall. Only 68 shopping days left until the big day! I'm going to get going on my list. I'll pick you up something nice. Peace.