It’s that time of the year when the big debate arises about whether we should be breaking out the Christmas lights and decorations, as well as whether we should be cranking up the Christmas songs. The argument against is that we’ve still got Veterans Day and Thanksgiving to go through, and besides, Christmas has become a commercialized holiday.

However, it never fails that, as soon as the ghosts and goblins go back home on Halloween night, someone breaks out the blow torch and defrosts Mariah Carey so she can sing “All I Want for Christmas is You” as soon as midnight arrives and Oct. 31 turns into Nov. 1.

This year, it seems like there was talk of Christmas even before Halloween arrived. My sister, Casey, who goes all out every year decorating her yard for Halloween, messaged me on Facebook a few days before the witching hour and mentioned she was already getting a head start on Christmas.

I’d like to say that I haven’t reached that point. However, I’m the one who has my rainbow Christmas tree up year-round with the lights constantly illuminating my home.

I also found myself fuming when I found out that Ty Herndon was dropping a duet with Klea Blackhurst titled “Christmas Without You,” but it wasn’t coming out until Nov. 14. Don’t worry. I got it today, and my “rage” was extinguished.

Personally, I like having the essence of Christmas seeping through. I like seeing the holiday cheer making its presence known as the days are getting shorter and more darkness is present than light. The rabid shoppers, however, can just keep their crabby derrieres off the streets for a few more weeks.

I can’t help but feel it’s necessary this year more than any other year to spread the goodwill and joy of the Christmas season for a longer period. It seems like this year has been incredibly depressing for many folks.

I’ve found myself frustrated by things like the government shutdown, where we saw air traffic controllers, TSA agents and others at the federal level work for weeks without getting paid to the point where some of them had to darken the doorsteps of food banks because they had no money to buy their own.

I’ve found myself praying for friends more this year, especially one who is dealing with the fallout of her adopted son, who had a horrific childhood at the hands of his birth parents, making poor decisions in his teens and she’s had to make some difficult decisions to make sure her other children are safe.

I’ve found myself worrying about whether the fanaticism of a Kentucky woman might have impacted whether people like myself can marry. Luckily, the U.S. Supreme Court opted not to indulge the religious wing nut.

I’ve found myself hearing the ticking of a metaphorical clock as I wonder if I’ll still be working as a journalist considering newspapers are shutting their doors in alarming numbers. Today, I found my emotions go up and down as I processed one story about a homicide with an elderly man as a suspect, and then looked over a story about a local man getting to be on a university football team after a bacterial infection sidelined him.

It’s not just me, though, as it seems like people are angry and frustrated in epic proportions, and kindness seems to be in short supply. So why is it so wrong for me to saunter through the Christmas sections of stores looking at new Christmas village buildings, Christmas-themed teddy bears and maybe a few more ornaments for the tree.

As a book author, I’ve written three novels set around Christmastime where men are finding love, solving mysteries and making sure children have a wonderful holiday season. My love for the season of hope makes me want to tell these stories, and I’m wondering if I should start working on a fourth Christmas book.

In a time of hopelessness, I see no problem with putting “O Holy Night” on an infinite loop. If people want to decorate their homes and yards in bright lights, Nativity scenes and Santa with all his reindeer, more power to them. Sing Christmas carols until you lose your voice. If it makes you feel better, why should it matter to anyone else?

Whether it’s to celebrate the birth of a savior or to carve out a time period where there is happiness in one’s family, I believe that this year, in particular, we need a little more Christmas.