Here are today’s dispatches from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

1. It’s Thanksgiving. Let the Christmas movies begin! Among the first arrivals (on Thanksgiving Eve, actually) is Arthur Christmas which purports to answer the question of how Santa delivers all those present to kids all over the world in one night. The CGI comedy also, I’m told, imparts lessons on the importance of standing up for what you believe is right, realizing that everyone is important and being willing to put others needs before one’s own.  I haven’t actually seen this one but you can check out the trailer here.

Then there’s this from Hollywood Reporter: DreamWorks announced on Tuesday it will hold special word-of-mouth screenings of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse on Sunday, Nov. 27 in 10 cities.

2. Words of wisdom from Taylor Swift (per USA Today): “The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation. So make your words count.”
Comment: She may be only 21 but the country star  expresses more wisdom than many entertainment executives two or three times our age.

3.  Speaking of words words that count…I like this quote I heard from cited the pulpit last Sunday:

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” – Meister Eckhart

And, sleeping on my original post, let me add: True gratitude is humble.  It recognizes our own need for and reception of God’s mercy and kindness. It also fill us with the desire to live the prayer of thanks by passing those gifts on to others.

It’s easy to forget to be grateful. That’s why having a day set aside to remind us is a good thing.  Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. See you Monday.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11