I MUST CONFESS THAT SOME YEARS I feel a bit “bah-humbugish” prior to the holidays and find it difficult to embrace the joy. The season seems to loom over me like a big to-do list that comes with a hard and fast deadline. Shopping, baking treats, wrapping gifts, decorating the house, shipping packages are all on the list, and checking off each item evokes a sense of relief, but certainly not joy.