Two years ago, my family sat around the dinner table on Christmas Eve. We had just finished a traditional, 13-course, Ukrainian meal in celebration of the holiday. My grandparents, mother, husband and cousin placed bets on when my impossibly large, 36-week pregnant body would pop.

"Christmas birthdays suck," I said.

Everyone knows it's true. The unlucky December babies are rarely able to have parties on their actual birthdays. Relatives and friends often give one "happy Christmas" gift, so the birthday boy or girl loses out on a present. People even forget their birthdays as the holidays become overwhelming.

There is nothing special about a Christmas birthday; everyone else is opening gifts as well. I'd never wish such a thing on my worst enemy.

Refusing to believe I'd give birth anytime soon, since my due date was still nearly four weeks away, I made fun of my sister-in-law, born on the 26th; my grandmother, born on the 27th; and my cousin, born on the 28th.

The ending to this story should be obvious: My water broke that night and I gave birth on Christmas Day.

As Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord, I am taking the time and space to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Christmas babies in my life and yours.

Enjoy the double presents in one week, bountiful food, joyous moods and gathered family. Say a prayer if you're Christian, then pretend the lights decorating the homes in your neighborhood are there for you. It's your day.

Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday to a few!