Christmas Joy not Stress

Are you enjoying the Advent Season?  Is your life filled with joy or stress?  This time before Christmas should be a time to reflect and prepare our hearts for the great gift that our Heavenly Father sent to us…..His Son, Jesus, our Savior, God with us.   Sometimes it is hard to do amidst the hustle and bustle of buying presents, sending cards, making cookies, decorating and all of the other preparations we think we need to do.

One good thing that comes with age is wisdom.  I have realized that Christmas comes whether I have cookies baked and cards sent or not.  Plus, the world goes on.  This time of year isn’t about being stressed out and tired.  No, not at all.  It is about love.  God’s great, everlasting, unimaginable love for us.

I would think He would want us to be joyful and happy, spreading His love and light to others instead of grumbling and be anxious that we are too busy and do not have enough time to get everything done.  My friend, perhaps you are trying to do too much.  Relax.  Enjoy this season for what it is.  Let peace overtake you.

What things might make this season easier for you this year?  Perhaps using gift bags instead of wrapping would free up time.  If you don’t have time for decorating like you usually do, that is okay.  As the saying goes “the prettiest Christmas decorations are my children’s faces” at home.  Dinner is another pressure point.  Go with paper plates.  Make it a pitch-in.  Order some of the food instead of cooking.  Take some things off of your shoulders so that you can be happy.  Your family will appreciate a happy you more than a fully decorate house.

Let’s examine the other side where you have everything under control.  Wonderful!  You are able to enjoy Christmas music and doing things with family.   Have you considered helping someone that is stressing?  Maybe offering to bake cookies or dessert would take a load off of their shoulders.  What about helping with errands or sending dinner one night to free up some of their time?  Your giving to them before Christmas could make a vast difference.

Offer to babysit or wrap a neighbor’s gifts for their children.  That is a difficult task and would be most welcomed.  What things can you add to this list?

Christmastime should be a special season.  One to anticipate each year with joy.  Not one to dread.  It is a season of good will and peace.  Let those reign with love and joy.

We are celebrating the birth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Read the story of His birth again.  Think about His humble beginnings.  Ponder the true meaning of Christmas.  Concentrate on Him and not the things of this world.  He will make your days merry and bright.