Historically, Christmas has never been one of my favorite holidays. Its materialistic development over the last 25 years or so has run opposed to my enjoyment of it.

Hey, not that I didn’t like gifts as a kid.

However, now that I’m in my late 30s, each holiday is a chance to catch up with family and to chill. And, as I’ve made a priority to grow my faith from tiny pebbles to at least pebbles in 2008, the holiday takes on the traditional Christian significance as well.

But my favorite holidays are still Thanksgiving and New Years purely in terms of idealism — gratitude and new beginnings, although there’s much to be said in terms of Christmas for those, too.

Holiday music? Not into it. I’m listening to Keith Jarrett’s “The Koln Concert” from 1975.

Holiday weather? Not in Oklahoma. It’ll be 60 on Christmas Day and nearly 70 the day after, not that I’m complaining.

Before I scat for the holiday, here’s another instrumental piece I composed recently. I called it “The Magic Harvest” to signify the creation of something from nothing, which is both an artistic process and sort of an entrepreneurial one, both of which appeal to me.

I wanted the chorus to be big, to signify the creation of a new musical life, if you will. Hope you enjoy.