| They say the most stressful time of year is during the | | | | holiday event and only attend because you feel |
| holidays. Why is that?Thanksgiving.....Christmas....they're | | | | pressure to meet the expectations of other people, |
| supposed to be happy and fun, you know.....almost | | | | then perhaps it's time to let people in on your change in |
| Norman Rockwell like..... but somewhere along the way | | | | direction. It may upset some people initially, but taking |
| the stress, the unrealistic expectations, the | | | | back control of your holidays won't always make |
| unreasonable demands, and all that other negative | | | | everyone else happy. Pleasing God and keeping your |
| stuff show ups and the next thing you know.....you're | | | | sanity have got to have the highest priority.There will |
| depressed, over-tired, and dreading one more day | | | | always be pressure from other people coming at you |
| during the so-called "holiday season".Amazingly enough, | | | | from all directions during the holidays. Being a Christian |
| Christians seem to have the exact same issues as | | | | at Christmas means you have to fight your way |
| non-Christians. There is no apparent difference in the | | | | through the noise to get to all that's Christian about the |
| way they act or talk or handle the stress of the | | | | season. The holiday season is a great opportunity to |
| holidays. Or is there?I could tell you that simplifying | | | | let others see you "walk the walk" and "talk the talk". |
| things to make it easier is a good idea, but then I'm | | | | Saying you're a Christian is one thing........actually being |
| pretty sure tipping over the Christmas tree, throwing | | | | one at Christmas....shows what you're really made |
| out the lights, and using the family egg nog recipe as | | | | of.Give other people a break. Putting pressure on |
| fireplace kindling wouldn't count in the whole | | | | others to meet your expectations puts alot of |
| "simplifying" concept.So how do you prioritize all that's | | | | unneccessary stress on them because they're facing |
| Christian about the holidays with all the other stuff | | | | alot of what you're facing during the holidiays. If people |
| that's creeped in over the years? How do you satisfy | | | | can't make it to your holiday gathering, the world won't |
| your family and friends, and still be able to keep your | | | | stop turning. Cutting people some slack will go a long |
| focus on what's truly important?Here are some things | | | | way toward doing what you can to help others |
| you can do that may help you start moving in the right | | | | reduce their holiday stress level.As a family, discuss |
| direction.Start planning NOW. Decide what is truly | | | | your financial status and make a commitment not to |
| important and necessary as a family. Having Christian | | | | overspend. There is nothing Christian about getting into |
| priorities means putting "all that's Christian" at the top of | | | | debt just to satisfy a lot of unreasonable demands and |
| the holiday list. This is a great time to teach your kids | | | | expectations. God always looks at motive, no matter |
| the difference between giving and receiving. When | | | | what you do. Now is the time to re-evaluate what |
| your kids see that your priorities are centered around | | | | you're spending, and why you're spending it. It may not |
| truly celebrating the real purpose of the season, it will | | | | be easy to change your overspending holiday habits, |
| get easier and easier for them to be a Christian at | | | | but it's better to take small steps than none at all. Of |
| Christmas too.Now, let me clarify. Teaching your kids | | | | course, gift giving can mean alot of different things to |
| about giving and receiving doesn't mean you can tell | | | | alot of different people. For example, in my family gift |
| your kids to tell Aunt Martha they can't "receive" her | | | | giving takes the form of an olympic event. Having |
| favorite fruitcake because it exceeds the airline weight | | | | received belly-button lights which my brother helpfully |
| requirement for the trip home, and that she should | | | | described as "great for reading", and slippers made |
| "give" it to the starving children in a foreign country.Let | | | | from Kotex pads, and oh yes....let's not forget the |
| other family and extended family members know well | | | | talking fish that was already moving under the |
| in advance of your holiday season plans. Explain that | | | | wrapping paper before I even opened it.....well, let's just |
| as a family, you've decided to change your focus to | | | | say the attempts to out-give each other really do |
| things that can make a difference for someone else. | | | | reach olympic proportions.I'm not really sure what God |
| Perhaps that means there will be less gift giving | | | | thinks about the motive in that scenerio.....I'm just glad |
| amongst family members and more to needy families. | | | | He has a sense of humor.Being a "Christian at |
| Or perhaps it means you won't be spending every | | | | Christmas" has to be a deliberate, concentrated effort. |
| available dollar on decorations and holiday parties, but | | | | The world continues to get more and more |
| rather on things that will make your family truly | | | | commercialized, so you can bet God will honor all your |
| understand and appreciate the intent of the season. It | | | | efforts to keep the focus where it should be. And you |
| is important to set the example for all those extended | | | | can also bet He'll appreciate your efforts to set the |
| family members. You'll be surprised how others will | | | | right example for your family and friends.For more help |
| follow your lead.....they just need someone to show | | | | on this topic, go to "Ways to Live Out Your Christian |
| them the way.As a family, evaluate all your scheduled | | | | Priorities"Karen Wolff is the founder of a place that |
| holiday activities. Only participate in those that you can | | | | gives Christian women lots of info, tips, and help with a |
| honestly say you're attending because they bring you | | | | variety of issues they face every day. Find book |
| joy and contribute to your Christian holiday season. If, | | | | reviews, recommendations, and submit your favorite |
| on the other hand, you're dreading that party or that | | | | books so you can be a blessing to someone else. |