Take the Panic out of Christmas
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by Helen Lescheid
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).
The Christmas season has been described as the season of shoulds. We feel we owe it to our family to give them the best Christmas ever. So, we spend too much money. We fuss too much about trivial things. And we work ourselves into a frenzy. No wonder we begin to dread the whole business of Christmas.
A friend of mine from Germany said when she first came to Canada, she was confused when people asked her, “Are you done yet?” How can you be done with Christmas? she thought. Like it’s something nasty to get out of the way. Isn’t Christmas something to enjoy?
And in our hearts we know this is true. After all, we’re celebrating the birthday of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) who came to give us peace. How ironic, then, that the season generates so much “unpeace” for most of us.
So how can we take the panic out of Christmas? Let me suggest:
1. Take inventory: Ask yourself, what’s truly important? Ten years from now what difference will it make that I mailed my Christmas cards late, or my house wasn’t perfect, or the turkey was a bit dry? Look again at what you want to achieve.
2. Be realistic, look at what you can afford. Christmas is not a competition about who can buy the most expensive presents or even who can get the most presents. Our children do not need dozens of presents to know they are loved.
3. Focus on the Prince of Peace. Take time out to relax and to reflect on Jesus’ statements of peace, like the following: “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
In the original Greek the word “peace” has the connotation of being bound together. Imagine, Jesus and you bound together. Doing life together. Wow!
What’s the result of doing it His way? Isaiah tells us there will be peace, quietness and confidence.
~Dear God, help me to focus on what’s truly important this Christmas season. I want to honor and glorify you in all my preparations.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Helen Lescheid. Learn more about Helen: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/helen-lescheid/
Going Deeper
1. Consider these questions: I like to have things perfect for Christmas and I can get frustrated when someone interrupts my schedule.
How have you managed to solve this problem? Tell me what your priority will be for this Christmas? Are you staying within your budget? Is your home joyful and at peace?
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This article is so uplifting but I wish I had read it on December 1, or maybe November 1. November would have been better I could have started destressing sooner. Today is December 25th and its like I have stressed for so many days, there seems to be nothing to stress over any more.
THANKS….I even had the time for a nap in the afternoon.
It’s like (where did December go).
A friend took me to see the Nativity Story this week and I am so glad I took the time to see it. I highly recommend it to everyone, it will put your thoughts/things in a different perspective.
Thanks for the reminder. I had not even given myself any time to think that I should slow down. I’ve walking around in my typical work frenzy. Do this one first, this thing I do now, this one thing I do on Christmas Eve. These friends are taking us out for Christmas dinner on the 22nd, these friends are coming over on the 24th. There is simply no end to things so when and how do I take a rest. At least all the decorating is finished. The only time I have had to myself is when I go to my bedroom to pray. That is one thing I do not forget to do.
Thank you Heavenly Father for this day and thank you for giving me all the things I am so thankful for. Thank you for taking my Dear Mother to live with you on August 23 I know she feels no more pain, but I miss her so much.
This is a good time of year to count our blessings, and not the things left to do.
Father God thank you for a husband that forces me to keep things low key…this helps me focus on Jesus. Also thank you for the finances that have allowed me to spend as much on the needy as I have on my family. Thank you for the beautiful fish you created, all 20,000 species in the whole world (I visited the Georgia Aquarium yesterday). Thank you for the freedom in this country to say Merry christmas. But most of all thank you for the greatest gift of all…Jesus!!
I finally got the tree decorated last night. It has been in the house for over a week. My 11 year old daughter was getting upset last week because we did not have any decorations up. She told me people were going to think we did not celebrate Christmas.
I could really care less about decorating my home. I think just a few special decorations would do the trick.
My hearts desire is to give rather than receive. I have all that I want(ok, maybe a Starbucks card with unlimited dollars would be nice)and I there is nothing out there in the stores that I really need.
To me it is more fun to get the perfect gift for someone else and to watch their face when thet open it. That brings me joy at Christmas.
This year, I chose to cut back on the spending, focused on who the baby lying in the manger truly was and still is. This year has been such a peaceful Christmas, and I have yet to mail out my Christmas card! So, Susan, I am with you on that one, but the way I look at it, it will be a pleasant surprise for whomever receives them even if they are late! Thank you God, for Your peace and allowing me to truly understand what this wonderful season is all about. I pray that those who are stressed out would be given your peace and true understanding of Christmas.
With being on a limited budget, I can’t afford cards or gifts at Christmas time. To me CHRISTMAS is a time when I can reflex on the love and support I have from my family and Most of all I remember that its more important that this is OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BIRTHDAY! I enjoy being with my family on this very special important day but when I am not able to do that I try to be with good friends who feel the same way I do about OUR LORD.
I find myself one week from Christmas already hoping it will soon be over. The pressures financially and trying to make everyone happy are overwhelming. I wish I could truly enjoy the season and the true meaning of Christmas without all the pressure. The day AFTER Christmas will be a day of relief. Thanks for this reminder to try and keep the focus where it belongs.
What a wonderful reminder for us of what is really important at Christmas. A born “worrier”, I am leaving this devotional to read each day of where my heart really is at Christmas. Thank you again for such pertinent and inspirational devotionals. Annie