The Flaming Lips brought their seven-years-in-the-making interstellar vision of 'Christmas on Mars' to life on film this year. Today, frontman Wayne Coyne explains to Spinner why Christmas matters, but this time a little closer to home.

Reason No. 12:
Smiling triggers a release of endorphins. Smiling is contagious. And smiling almost always makes your face look better. Christmas makes you smile!

Reason No. 11:
Santa! Elves! Reindeer! Trees! Snow! Presents! Misletoe! Music! Lights! Food! Parties! Who needs religion?! Christmas shows that generosity and sympathy for suffering are reasons to believe in humans, not gods.

Reason No. 10:
We forget how lucky we are to live in a world where almost anything we want to eat at any time -- regardless of how exotic -- is available. Christmas gives us an opportunity see once again how simple and pleasurable human existence can be. Remember "food made with care always has the flavor of love." Didn't Padma Lakshmi say that?

Reason No. 9:
There is a way of perceiving the world that shows us there is magic all around us, but it is up to us to see it. Christmas reminds us that childlike wonder doesn't have to be just for children.

Reason No. 8:
There are many clichés and jokes about dreading the uncomfortable family holiday. But at the root of this demand that "families be together" is the commitment of a firm foundation and a stable life. We can easily see within the drama of struggling families how the real meaning of tolerance and forgiveness need to be embraced and understood. Christmas encourages families to see the good in our situations.

Reason No. 7:
One of the many messages that can be discovered when analyzing the meaning of Christmas is a constant plea for peace on Earth! So it's simple -- Christmas is anti-war.