I’m a firm believer that Christmas and Thanksgiving go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly, like a burger and fries, like cookies and milk, and like Taco Delite and Friday.

I know there are those that argue that Thanksgiving gets sidelined in favor of Christmas, but I’d venture to say that Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the spirit of gratitude that Thanksgiving brings. 

I’m one of the crazy people that doesn’t think Christmas starts too early.

I listen to Christmas carols in July, put my Christmas tree up early, and “practice” my Christmas cookies long before December rolls around.

I love the Christmas season (which I would argue begins October 1st).

I love the lights, the decorations, the food, the gifts, and the time together.

I love the family traditions new and old, I love the red and green packages, I love the sense of excitement and anticipation that accompanies the season.

But more than I love those beauty of the season, I love the feeling of Christmas.

I think Thanksgiving is the true kickoff to Christmas.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a healthy dose of gratitude.

During the lead up to Thanksgiving we focus on gratitude at our house.

It’s so easy to be ungrateful.

It’s easy to see only the frustrations, only the things that didn’t go your way, and only the flaws in other people and their behavior.

This November, I’ve adopted the philosophy “Come what may, and love it!”

If you’ve spent much time with me, you know this philosophy goes against… pretty much every fiber of my being.

I worry, plan, and want things to go my way. Loving the situation I’m in, is hard. But you know what? It’s a lot less hard at Christmastime.

And you know what makes it ten thousand times easier?

Trying.

Focusing on the good makes Christmas better. Taking just a minute every night and looking for the good makes each day just a little bit brighter.

I love the spirit of charity that fills the Christmas season.

Christmas is a time to give of yourself, to step outside your frustrations and problems, and embrace the joy.

It’s a time to recall your inner child and revel in peace this season brings.

While I’ll admit I love the treats and presents as much as the next person, I’d venture to say that maybe Christmas is just a little bit more.

Maybe it’s more than the packages and bows, maybe it’s more than fancy parties and Santa. Maybe it’s more than trying to cram as many family activities in as humanely possible.

Maybe Christmas is about serving those around us, forgiving those that have wronged us, and finding gratitude in our situations.

Maybe Christmas is about stepping outside of ourselves and finding joy in the lives we are so blessed to live.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry early Christmas!