I highly recommend Joyeux Noel, a beautiful film which tells the story of a Christmas Eve WWI cease fire.  Soldiers from Germany, France and Scotland find peace in the midst of war, and friendship with those they’ve been taught to hate.  Based on the true story.  The acting, music and scenery are stunning!

Michael Gott sings of this special night on his Christmas CD.  The song is entitled, Christmas in the Trenches.  Both the music and the movie are fitting reflections this time of year as we are mindful of all those who serve our country in the military. 

It’s not too soon to start avoiding holiday stress!  Our friends at Organized Christmas have some great ideas.

Our friends at Organized Christmas have a great project to create your Christmas planner!  This is a terrific way to get all your projects, ideas, lists, recipes, etc., in one place, with room to expand as you get new ideas.  Use your Christmas planner for the big picture, then starting on Thanksgiving Day, note your daily to-do lists in this year’s copy of Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas.

Coming soon!  A fabulous companion to the Prepare Your Heart book! 

Think it’s too soon to start thinking about Christmas?  No way!  Check out this site that helps you stay ahead of the holiday stress.  Visit on the 25th of every month and make your list, and check it…well, you know!

http://organizedchristmas.com/rudolph-club

While you’re there, check out the neat resources for Christmas planning, $$$ saving, and more!

During the 2008 holiday season, Americans sought ways to simplify-that is, spend less money.  As we begin a New Year, our nation’s economic uncertainty continues.  Thousands of American families are not only tightening their belts but learning new spending and saving strategies.  Families are no longer able or willing to rely on credit, so they are reprioritizing expenses and rediscovering the charms of home.

The eXtension Foundation, an educational partnership of 74 universities in the United States, offers advice for families that is both practical and personal.  “Studies have found that many families do not adjust their lifestyle for about six months after their income is reduced,” reports eXtension.  “That six months of ignoring the situation can bring disaster. When you take charge of your financial situation immediately, you are making a positive contribution to your family’s well-being now and in the future.”  Some suggestions:

•  Make a list of the family’s most important expenses while you have less income. (This means things you must have or do.)
• Make a family spending plan to determine where your money will go. Develop a family budget you can use to cope with your income situation.
• Decide where you will spend your money. Stick to your spending plan. With less income, each spending decision is critical.

Cutting back on spending doesn’t mean cutting back on the fun.  In fact, having less money to spend on entertainment creates more opportunities for quality time with those you love.  During the holidays, many moms were secretly grateful for the excuse to simplify because it made family time more meaningful.  Here are eXtention’s ideas to carry that spirit into the New Year:

Take advantage of local public resources:

• Spend time together at the park or local community festival.
• Go for hikes or bike rides.
• Go for a family picnic.
• Go swimming at the local pool, lake, ocean, or springs.
• Take advantage of free programs offered by the library, museums, and community bands or orchestras, or other free community events.
• Check out books, music, and videos for free from the library.

Find cheaper entertainment at home:

• Have a family game night.
• Rent or borrow movies, pop some popcorn, and have a family movie night at home.
• Bake or cook together as a family.
• Read stories to one another.
• Go on evening walks together.

Help your children learn new skills and ideas:

• Teach children how to garden.
• Teach children craft skills you enjoy and spend time doing these together.
• Teach children about issues that are important, such as politics, news, the environment, or others. Are there opportunities in the community to volunteer as a family for a cause you all believe in?

(Visit http://www.extension.org/ online for more resources and ideas on coping in tough economic times.)

Above all, it’s important to look for the possibilities in the situation and not focus solely on what we’re doing without.  The way parents respond to economic challenges sets an important example for children that will help them in the future.   Make the best of the situation and be grateful for the people and the material goods in your life!

Ladies!

Get ready, get set and go for a great 2009 with the Joy of Goals workshop!  I attended two years ago and got so much out of it.  You can, too!

Joy of Goals is a system designed to help you Celebrate, Dream, Design, Connect and Visualize your goals. The system is presented in a workshop format and is available to individuals, small business owners and large corporations to help their employees set and achieve their goals. 

May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be…light! 

Kari Joys of Journey to Light-Heartedness has Seven Tips for Managing Holiday Stress:

Holidays can be very stressful! There are so many things to get done, so much pressure and so many expectations. Often we forget to take care of ourselves in the process and that’s when the stress becomes overwhelming.
Here are some tips to keep you emotionally balanced during the holidays:
1. Breathe deeply throughout the day. Breathing helps you stay in the moment and release any stress that’s accumulated.
2. Stay in touch with what you are feeling and cry when you need to cry. Remember that no one is to blame for your feelings; crying just helps you release anything that is painful.
3. Use positive self-talk to counteract anxiety and stress, for example, you could say, “This doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s the love that matters!”
4. Ask a friend to share a listening half hour with you. One of you listens while the other talks for 15 minutes each; and the listener says only “Thank-you for sharing.” By doing this, you will both feel more loved and supported. (Remember not to give unasked-for advice.)
5. Take time to go for a walk in nature. While you’re walking, say positive affirmations to yourself or focus on what you are thankful for in your life.
6. Make a list of what needs to be done and cross things off your list when they’re completed. Congratulate yourself for everything that gets done, even if it doesn’t go the way you planned!
7. Keep your sense of humor. When things don’t work out perfectly, look at the funny side of it all! Ask yourself, in ten years when you look back, what will you be laughing about?

Still searching for the right format for daily prayer?  Try this wonderful process designed by Jesuit priests in Ireland.  You can pray at your computer, and be connected to the daily readings Christians around the world are praying.

TV specials were a big part of Christmas as I grew up.  They were on only once a year, so I waited for each with great anticipation.  Wikia has put together a guide to the 2008 Christmas specials.  When I was a kid, I only had 3 stations to keep track of; now with hundreds of cable channels, Wikia has done an impressive job keeping track of the favorites and the new ones, too.

http://christmas-specials.wikia.com/wiki/2008_Christmas_Specials_TV_Schedule

Maria Rodgers O’Rourke, author of Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas, will sign copies of her book Sunday, December 14th at Borders, Sunset Hills, from 1-3 p.m. Stop by and say hello and get some shopping done!  With reflections that take us into the New Year, the book is a wonderful gift for someone you love or yourself.

Borders Sunset Hills is located on Watson Road between Lindbergh and Highway 270.  See you there!