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. 

I blogged about this earlier, thinking it was a spoof.  But it’s true:  Bob Dylan has released a Christmas music CD.  I suspect only those who really love his work and really love the season will enjoy it.  It’s fun to think of this music icon taking on a few well-worn tunes and giving them a new sound. 

Okay, friends.  There’s no turning back: the holidays have officially begun. 

Today I am thankful for:

• a home to entertain my family, raise our daughters, and work and live in;
• music that lifts my heart and mood;
• watching movies with my loved ones;
• my health.

For what are you grateful this Thanksgiving Day?

Gratitude comes first.
All the beauty that surrounds us,
the people we love,
even the things we fuss over or take for granted
are gifts from God.
We didn’t create this world,
but now we’re blessed to participate in it.
So, it is our first response
to give thanks for all we have in our lives.
As the Christmas season approaches,
Let’s remember all we have been given,
and with open hearts,
thank God for everything in our lives.
For when we do,
our lives will be transformed.
Viewed through grateful eyes,
we will see goodness in the people and circumstances
of our lives, and
we’ll trust more completely the
Divine Providence that wills great joy for us
and for those we love.
Say “thank you” first, and often.
Then, be grateful again for how light your heart feels
after you’ve said these simple life-affirming words.
Gratitude comes first. — Maria Rodgers O’Rourke

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

This year it will be different.  Really.  Retailers are bracing for a Christmas shopping season only slightly better than last year’s, due to the ongoing economic recovery and consumers’ trend toward saving money and avoiding credit card debt.  These indicators point to a different tone this year, perhaps one where Americans will seek the comforts of the season without the material extravagance that characterized past Christmases.

Rather than dwelling on what our economic condition will deprive us of this year, we can ponder the opportunity it gives us to recreate our Christmas observance.  For years I’ve heard friends and family (and me!) complain about the craziness of the season, how hectic and packed our days are, and how little time and energy we have to appreciate our loved ones.  We commiserate, but do little to change.  Perhaps the lack of disposable dollars will set the boundary we need to focus our time and efforts on events, people and things that are truly meaningful to us.

This year can be different.  Let’s take this opportunity to envision and create a great holiday season.  Let’s start by getting a clear picture of what the ideal Christmas season is.  This vision will be different for everyone, because it is a wonderful amalgamation of warm memories and joyful anticipation unique to each of us.  Here’s one way to get started.

Music is a wonderful source of inspiration, so pull out some of your favorite holiday music.  If you’re not ready to open that floodgate just yet, listen to something soft and contemplative.  As a compromise, I listen to my Hidden Christmas Tracks.  Take a few deep breaths and consider these questions:

1. The highest vision for my Christmas season is….

2. What must I become to empower this vision?

3. What must be released?

4. What must I embrace to empower this vision?

5. Anything else I need to know to empower this vision?

(This is a simple visioning process that can be applied to any concern or idea in your life.  My thanks to Michael Gott for this process.)

What’s important in this case is to allow meaningful experiences from past Christmases to come to mind, along with your hopes for this year’s observance.  Most likely, there are things you’ve always wanted to do during the holidays “if I had more time!” Try not to edit any idea as too outrageous or difficult to achieve.  Give yourself permission to dream.   Jot all these thoughts down and complete the first statement on the list.  Then, reflect on the answers to the next four questions.  Note how each focuses on the internal transformation necessary to move you from commiseration to empowerment in creating a great Christmas for those you love, and yourself.

This year, it will be different!

Coming up:  Create and Prioritize your Holiday To-Do List

For the Hidden Christmas Tracks list:

Rumor has is Bob Dylan has recorded a Christmas album.  You be the judge!

Hilarious!

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! 

Don’t let the perfect stand in the way of the good.

Today, this quote was attributed to deceased Senator Kennedy, in a description of his style in navigating Capitol Hill politics.  But, it occurs to me, isn’t this also great advice for life in general, and holiday celebrations in particular?

We often hold in our minds the “perfect” idea for our family members, homes, work, etc.  At Christmas time, it gets even worse.  Maybe there are other possibilities–good enough possibilities–for what our holiday celebrations will look like.  Only when we’re willing to let go of the perfect celebrations will we be delightfully surprised to find that “good” may be the “best” after all.

Last year, due to the drop in the economy, my extended family decided to forego the annual gift exchange and hold a “white elephant” gift party.  While a few were sad at the prospect of going without “real presents,” others got into the spirit of it and the exchange turned into a silly laugh-fest.  In the end, I think we all realized that we didn’t need the “stuff” anyway; just being together was good enough.

Dear reader:

Think of a time you released the perfect and focused on the good?  How did that play out for you?

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!