5 Steps To A “Stress Less” Christmas

Do you dream of a “Stress Less” Christmas? I know I do!

There are some things in life you can not control.  Family member’s health,  young children waking up at the crack of dawn or emergencies that seem to crop up around the Christmas season.   It is because of the uncertainties that are a part of life that it is even more important to take the following 5 Steps to a “Stress Less” Christmas.

If you heard it once from me you have heard it a thousand times by now.  Simplifying all areas of your life makes your existence more meaningful and allows you to concentrate on the most important things in life.  Worshiping and serving God, loving your husband, and mentoring our children.

What things are you spending time on

that may be good

but God has not asked you to do?

When we examine each area of our lives through the lens of God’s Word then we are able to see clearly what we need to simplify so that we can focus on the things God has called us to.   When we live our lives in light of God’s Word our stress levels diminish!

Before I present the 5 Steps to a “Stress Less” Christmas, I want to challenge you to pray about each of the steps.  We are all created differently and are in different stages in our lives.  It is not my attempt to make us into “cookie-cutter Christians” but rather give you ideas to pray about so that you can give more of your life to focusing on the true meaning of the Christmas season!

5 Steps To A “Stress Less” Christmas

• Take the month of December off.  Yep, you heard me right take the month off.  In order to focus on the birth of Christ, I often take the month off of homeschooling as well as any other activities I usually participate in.  Purposely, clearing the calendar of anything but necessities.  This leaves me free to focus on the Advent Season.  Enjoy the real meaning of the Christmas season in peace and calm.

• Ask yourself and your family which Christmas activities and traditions bring them joy?   Take a moment right now to ask your family this question and contemplate it yourself.   This is a great way to meaningfully eliminate activities and traditions that may not be worth the time and effort.

• Cut out any activity or tradition that is not “Christ-Centered”.   Why are we cluttering our lives with things that distract us from the gospel life?  Especially this season which belongs to Christ.

• Use the “Pick One Principle”  Pick one act of service, one entertainment opportunity, one Church commitment, etc.  We all need to continue to impact the world for Christ during the Christmas season.  There are millions of opportunities presented to your family to serve, give money, and have fun.  I use the “Pick One Principle”  to help decide and reduce the plethora of opportunities.  Our family picks one charity to give money to this season, one “Family Fun” activity, one Advent family devotion, you get the idea.

• Make prayer and contemplation your primary focus this December.   What is the one thing that gives you as a believer peace?  Prayer   So, if you want to stress less this Christmas season make prayer the focus.  Pray alone, pray with your kids, get your own Christmas devotional, set your children up with their own Christmas devotional.

Prayerfully consider how you can focus on Christ this season.  I promise you will be better for it!

YOUR TURN…

How do you “stress less” during the Christmas season?

Blessings,

This post is part of a series!  Head on over to the following blogs for more encouragement on simplifying your Christmas Season!