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

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

Hilarious!

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

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?

http://organizedchristmas.com/rudolph-club

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

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!

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Think about good things. Too often, our thoughts drift to recounting our transgressions or replaying scenes of conflict, searching for the perfect retort—the “I wish I would have said …” comment that influence our opponents.

Or we live waiting for the proverbial “other shoe” to drop. Recently, I remarked to an acquaintance about the weather on a particularly beautiful day. He responded, “Yeah, if only it’d stay this way.”  As soon as good things happen, we brace ourselves for the next bad thing to come along.

St. Paul proposes a different mindset. Instead of focusing on what isn’t working, waiting for the next bad thing to happen, he suggests we turn our attention to what is working. What is working is evidence of the kingdom in our midst. Paul describes a vision of heaven, and it’s exciting to realize there’s proof positive of it in our world.

For today, pay attention to your thoughts. When they slip to the negative, or you find yourself replaying a difficult scene in your mind, stop. Turn your attention to something good or worthwhile in the situation, and focus on that. Be sure to pray for those you’re in conflict with; it is remarkable how God’s grace will release the tension when you do.