Crowds flock to the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

Many New Yorkers avoid 30 Rockefeller Center this time of year, but as someone who works there, I don't have much of a choice. That said, watching from a dozen stories up is a peaceful and fulfilling substitute.

Holiday greetings from msnbc.com, we hope your lives are filled with joy, wherever you are this time of year.

And hey, while you're here, check out a roundup of Christmas celebrations around the word in our SLIDESHOW.