We all know that Christmas can be a season of mixed feelings. While we try our best to enjoy the fun and festivity, and to center our hearts on Christ, December often comes with a lot of additional stress. This stress can come from financial pressures, heightened activity levels, strained relationships with family members, and so much more. As we prepare to enter this Christmas season, we would like to encourage you with ways to make the most of this month and to minimize stress and maximize enjoyment.
How can we learn to enjoy the season?
Psalm 23:1-3
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
As you approach this Christmas season, allow God help you sort through what it means to be an effective sheep. Let Him be the Shepherd and allow Him to guide you through this month. He desires to give you rest and green pasture. He is able to restore your soul. Rather than looking at this season as a time of stress, realize that God wants it to be a time of refreshment. This is such a special time of year, and it is capable of giving you immense joy and refreshment. Allow the Lord to guide you into what He has for you this Christmas season, and be intentional in building in time for what is truly important. What are some ways in which you can do this? Let’s discuss it…
Recognize the stressors.
Take some time to evaluate where you are at and what is causing you stress. For many people, Christmas stress can come from the many demands on you time that arise during the season. You may struggle with a fear of missing out, or perhaps you feel obligation to be in too many places, celebrating with too many people. It feels wrong to say ‘no.’ For others, there may be financial strain, or simply stress regarding the expectation of others. This aspect of the season does weigh on many of us—everybody is giving gifts to one another and the list can quickly become extensive. It’s overwhelming to keep up with, and then you add the financial burden on top of it. And, as if that was not enough, the Christmas season often comes with a bombardment of giving requests. All kinds of organizations will reach out to you, and some requests are legitimate, but sorting through them all can quickly become stressful and unenjoyable.
So, what are we supposed to do about all these stressors?
How to approach the Christmas season:
The calendar.
The first thing that can eliminate Christmas stress is to consider your calendar. One of the biggest stressors this time of year is the multitude of things we desire to do, and feel compelled to do by those around us. Seek the Lord in what He would have you do this season. Plan ahead when you can, but don’t over-plan; set aside your non-negotiables, but keep your schedule open enough to allow for last minute changes. This takes prioritizing and learning to say ‘no.’ Remember that you don’t have to justify your ‘no.’ You will quickly find that most people are completely okay with it! On the other side of the equation, be understanding with those who turn down your requests. Learn to appreciate where they are at.
On top of learning to sort through all your outings, also consider what you can do to create joy and community within your own family. Schedule out things like movie nights, trips to see Christmas lights, etc. Those moments are incredibly special, and you never know what God may have planned for your family.
Giving.
Tithing is an important aspect of our lives as Christians, but remember that there is more to tithing that simply giving. Don’t just give for the sake of giving. Ask God where He would like you to give, and be joyful in doing so. When you receive requests from organizations, consider where you see God at work, and donate to those causes or people. Seek His will as you give, and learn to be intentional with your giving.
Seek joy.
Ultimately, seek joy this Christmas season. As you pursue the Lord, He will lead you into that green pasture, which will be full of joy and wonder for you and your family. Consider what brings you joy and refreshment during the lead-up to Christmas, and relish in the beauty of those things that make the season exceptional.
After Christmas, look back on your season and consider where you experienced joy. Think about what was magical about the season, as well as what caused stress, and consider how what you will keep and what you will change for next year. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything each year, and make it more spectacular than anything you’ve experienced previously. This usually involves adding to your calendar, and this can cause stress. Instead, let God make it more spectacular for you, and when you do, you can look back and see His handiwork and the spectacular gifts He gave you throughout the season. Don’t hijack God’s plan for your Christmas—let Him do the work, and that grandness will be more than you ever could have expected.
Throughout the season, keep a heart of gratitude. Keeping your focus upward keeps you in joy. Let Him lead and guide you. And then at the end of it, as you go into the New Year, evaluate. Keep tweaking what you do. What was spectacular? What was less than spectacular?
Keep pursuing the Lord in all that you do. He has a grand and abundant plan for you, no matter where you are or what stressors you face this Christmas. Seek His peace and joy and consider how He is guiding you into a spectacular and stress-free Christmas season!
