Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I love simple, natural, elegant, neutral holiday displays like this one.  I think it is so pretty.  What do you think?

Found on Pinterest/homedit page.

Every year on this day I remember the man who died 38 years ago today.  It was a devastating loss to the world but for a few days at least, people were united in their shared grief.  The petty annoyances and ballast of everyday living were temporarily put aside as the world reflected on the loss of a good man, a husband, a father and the loss of innocence his death brought to so many.  But together those who mourned survived, observed a 10 minute moment of silence to honor the man they loved and lost and went on with their lives with a hole in their hearts that never quite healed.

But let me be clear-I want to celebrate this man more than acknowledge his death.  He stood for many things, but the two things I remember most about him were his music and his desire for a peaceful world.  He wrote about it in his songs, campaigned for it in his actions, spoke about it whenever he could and lived his life reflecting this desire.

And his one musical contribution to the Christmas season is a testament to what he wanted for the world and each one of us as individuals.  So maybe as you listen to this beautiful song, you can think of the ways to achieve peace for yourself, whether that means mending a broken relationship, or ending a destructive one once and for all, choosing to forget the materialism this season can bring and choose to reflect on the things you have that cannot be bought, to choose to spend the holidays your way instead of being guilted into a family holiday that brings you nothing but stress (remember, there are 364 other days you can spend with your loved ones), or to not feel bad if you do not have the big warm family gathering we see all over TV this season.  Peace is about what brings you happiness and joy, what calms your soul and fills your heart.  And no one can define that for you except you.  So let this be the year you bring peace to your world.

John Lennon & Yoko Ono with the Plastic Ono Band the Harlem Community Choir:  “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” (1971).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!