Click here to view a photo slideshow by David Sand from the Tree Trimming at Prana, December 2006.

Just put your hand on your heart, and take a moment to call in the Light. Percolate that loving feeling inside, and send it out to everyone you think of—your family, friends, John-Roger, John Morton, the people of the world, animals, nature…wherever your heart leads you.

That’s what the annual MSIA Tree Trimming Party was all about. Placing our hands on our hearts, connecting with the loving feeling there, giving and receiving it—that is the way we called in the Light throughout the evening, and even when the words weren’t spoken, the action was manifest in all we did together.

The festivities began at 2:00pm with a Children’s Party. Within a half hour, the house was humming with laughter and the joyful energy of kids of all ages sharing the Spirit. Here’s what a tour of the property revealed: A happy child reading Harry Potter, with feet dangling loosely far above the ground in an adult-sized chair; The dining room community table transformed into a gingerbread house workshop, with icing mortar, sugar wafer cookie windows, marshmallows & gumdrops (each completed house went to sit proudly on top of the dining room buffet); A snowflake creation table, making unique snowflake designs for decorating; Christmas origami, with birds that looked like turtledoves; Ornament making, complete with a Polaroid self-portrait photo to place front & center; Garland-making with popcorn and real cranberries. There was even a storytime/rest area, too, in the back of the dining room, with mattresses and blankets and animal friends. This area was notable for how, well, empty it was throughout the afternoon, though.

At 4:00pm, everyone gathered in the main Prana foyer to call in the Light and begin the next phase of the party. Kevin McMillan and Zoe Golightly served as our co-hosts, and our Traveler John Morton had joined us as well. We called in the Light, touching our hearts and radiating loving. After chanting together, we moved right into the main activities for the party: decorating the tree, singing Christmas carols with Barb Wieland at the piano, and yes, of course, eating. The kitchen team had been hopping with preparations days in advance, with the culinary art of David & Kelly Funk joining again with the Prana Chef team of Guillaume, Claudie, & Elaine (aka, Botte, Botte, & Kitchell—almost sounds like a law firm, huh?).

Here are some menu highlights: Poached shrimp with cocktail sauce & lemon wedges; Quiche with goat yogurt, basil, & tomato; Beef sirloin marinated in light ginger sesame soy sauce with Thai almond butter on the side. And DESSERTS: 2-inch-high brownies, pumpkin pecan biscotti, traditional Christmas sugar cookies done to perfection. And plenty of Urth Caffe organic coffee & tea to wash it all down. Yum.

The tree decorating moved at the speed of Light (truly!). Children were everywhere—up on ladders with steady grown-up arms to support them, under the boughs, around the back of the tree—it seemed like the tree was transformed in no time at all. And the scent was heavenly. The Prana tree is a Douglas fir, and if you are familiar with American Christmas trees, those trees smell so-o-o sweet. Breathing it in was a way to feel God loving us.

Once the initial roar of decorating and eating subsided, we moved on to entertainment. Our co-hosts returned, though in an altogether different manifestation: Kevin had transformed into a Christmas elf, and Zoe into none other than Mrs. Claus! They made quite the dashing, funny pair of Christmas spirits. And we heard word—via cell phone, no less—that Santa Claus was en route, from Cleveland! One of the children instantly manifested clear intention, and approached the stage to speak with Santa right away via cell. Mrs. Claus happily obliged, and that helped pave the way for Santa to come and hear from everyone. The only question was: How quickly could he make a coast-to-coast trip?? Nary a worry entered our minds, though, with all the loving present and the entertainment that promptly captured our attention.

The MSIA Kids started us off with “Feliz Navidad,” in Spanish and English, accompanied by Clara Beatriz Jamarillo on guitar. Hearing the kids belt out “Feliz Navidad!” and “I want to wish you a merry Christmas, from the bottom of my hearrrrt!” was a gift beyond compare. Denise Lumiere sang “It’s In Everyone One of Us” a cappella and we all joined in. Bob Tackney sang us a beautiful song called “Home in the Silence.” Clara joined us again to sing Ave Maria a cappella with operatic tenderness & joy. Gregory Vahanian strummed us a rockabilly joyful Christmas sing-a-long. And, Joanna Ward completed our time of songs of love with “O Come Emmanuel,” so penetrating and sweet.

Suddenly, there was a great loud THUMP from up above us. We heard jingling bells. And a steady, belly-belly-deep laughter of Ho-Ho-Ho from what sounded like the roof. Yes, it was true: Santa had arrived! Down the great Prana staircase he came, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Given the commute he had just had, Santa excused himself briefly to freshen up before taking his seat of honor & visitation.

Elfin Kevin then let us know we were going to dim the lights down low, and slowly gather in the main room by the Christmas tree to call in the Light again with a precious blessing from the Traveler, connecting us again with the divine love that we are and with our Source, God, love. We chanted and loved some more, and more, and more, and the evening gradually came to its conclusion.

Amidst all of the noise and activity, there was a lovely, sacred silence throughout the evening, a gift from the Travelers and the Christ, the kind that moves so deeply inside, like the utter silence a dawn makes as it comes and goes in pure joy and simple loving.

All of that and more we shared, and we share with you here and now, from our hearts with love, Light, and Sound. God bless you, and enjoy the ongoing holiday coverage with the New Day Herald!

Baruch Bashan
The Blessings Already Are
(Ho-Ho-Hu!)