I recently read a blog post from a fan of mine who had some great ideas. I don't have permission to give her name so we will call her Sue. Sue mentioned that she plans on specific times of the day to work and meet her deadlines, and she doesn't let anything else get in the way of that. However, when that scheduled time is over she STOPS. That way she can focus on her family and the meaning of Christmas.
For myself, I try to eliminate those things that distract me from feeling the spirit of Christmas. For instance, I try to focus on giving gifts that mean something. The children from my church are going to go caroling with me in a medical facility. Sure, it takes a bit of time and planning, but it costs nothing! And it will bring smiles and cheer to many who are very lonely this time of year. What a great gift!
Growing up, my mother always made Christmas candy for all our neighbors: caramel, fudge, peanut brittle, you name it. Sometimes she even mailed candy. Oh my, was her candy delicious! I have tried in years past to follow this tradition. But, my candy doesn't turn out the way my mother's did. I have made several extra batches on occasion to make it just right. This has been stressful for me. So this year I have decided to NOT make candy, but simply...cookies. This way I can let my neighbors and friends know I love them without a stressful preparation. My family is happier when I am not stressed. Is yours? Christmas is supposed to be a happy, wonderful time of year. And it can be!
Lastly, when I read with my children during December I try to pick stories related to the Christ child; and often we put on a small, informal, unrehearsed nativity play for just ourselves. This helps us remember the best and ultimate gift given to us: the gift of God's Son. This brings the true feeling of Christmas into my home.Christmas truly is a time for joy, family and love and most of all, a time to feel HIS love for us.
4 comments:
Keeping things simple is the best. Those times with the family will be remembered far longer that any other gift you can give anyone.
Merry Christmas
Beautifully said! Thank you!
I agree! You put into words something that had taken me many years to discover and it is still a work in progress. Just because some family traditions seem important to carry on doesn't mean you should. Sometimes I lose the peaceful feeling I want to feel this time of year because I have unrealistic expectations of what Christmas should be like. Shopping and choosing gifts is very stressful to me. I know some people love it, but I don't. I give my children who are not living at home anymore cash instead. I have quit doing a lot of Christmas baking which is also stressful. If I enjoyed it, it would be different, but I don't like to do it. My mother always cooked a nice breakfast and a turkey dinner for Christmas. I tried to do the big Christmas breakfast and the fancy turkey dinner for years. My kids loved it and looked forward to it. It was exhausting and I felt like Christmas day was not relaxing at all. Now we changed our Christmas tradition and Santa brings each child a box of their favorite Christmas cereal for breakfast and dinner is a simple roast and potatoes in the crock pot. I thought my kids would hate this but they love it just as much and maybe more. I have discovered that as long as you are spending quality time with your family during the holiday, Christmas is joyful. I don't put out as many Christmas decorations and I don't put up outside lights unless the kids want to do it, then I help. Some years Christmas cards happen and some years they don't. Eliminating activities that cause stress helps me feel a sweet peaceful feeling as I celebrate Christ's birth!
I agree! You put into words something that had taken me many years to discover and it is still a work in progress. Just because some family traditions seem important to carry on doesn't mean you should. Sometimes I lose the peaceful feeling I want to feel this time of year because I have unrealistic expectations of what Christmas should be like. Shopping and choosing gifts is very stressful to me. I know some people love it, but I don't. I give my children who are not living at home anymore cash instead. I have quit doing a lot of Christmas baking which is also stressful. If I enjoyed it, it would be different, but I don't like to do it. My mother always cooked a nice breakfast and a turkey dinner for Christmas. I tried to do the big Christmas breakfast and the fancy turkey dinner for years. My kids loved it and looked forward to it. It was exhausting and I felt like Christmas day was not relaxing at all. Now we changed our Christmas tradition and Santa brings each child a box of their favorite Christmas cereal for breakfast and dinner is a simple roast and potatoes in the crock pot. I thought my kids would hate this but they love it just as much and maybe more. I have discovered that as long as you are spending quality time with your family during the holiday, Christmas is joyful. I don't put out as many Christmas decorations and I don't put up outside lights unless the kids want to do it, then I help. Some years Christmas cards happen and some years they don't. Eliminating activities that cause stress helps me feel a sweet peaceful feeling as I celebrate Christ's birth!
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