Keeping The Peace...
in the holiday season

Parties, family gatherings, shopping, financial stress and relationship conflicts can all distract us from the real reason for the season- Jesus!

Avoid stumbling blocks and keep balance during a rushed season:

1. Just say No!  Pick 2 parties and 1 service project and be done.  Remind yourself, and others, that the reason for the season (the birth of our Savior) can be overlooked and under-celebrated by too much activity and commitment. Put time with family, church and your Lord first – just say no to over committing.  Serving others, charity work, holiday parties and family gatherings are fun and certainly good, but they can creep in on the Lords time and attention.
2. Don’t over spend.  It’s fun to exchange gifts with friends, coworkers and extended family, but when you couple it with the expense of gifts for your spouse and children; it quickly becomes a burden to you, and is certainly not a gift!  Set limits; make gifts more sentimental than expensive.  Utilize personal notes, scripture and photos to make gifts more meaningful and less expensive.  With family and coworkers, maybe suggest a white elephant game or just choosing one name from a hat – thus limiting you to only one gift.  At home, you could observe the three gifts given by the wise men and only give each child and your spouse three gifts.
3. Maintain routine at home.  Pick one or two routines that you can continue and uphold during the holiday season.  Whether it’s dinner together as a family each night or bedtime devotion, find one or two family routines that you can commit to observing.  This will help the family feel less stressed, even when schedules are full and abnormal.
4. Take care of your health.  There’s nothing worse than getting sick right before a special holiday party or family gathering.  Be sure to get enough rest, drink plenty of water, wash hands frequently and take your vitamins!  Not overindulging in sugary desserts will help keep your immune system strong as well. 
5. Prepare your heart for family affairs.  Pray that God will provide you with a graceful attitude toward in-laws, exes and the like.  Remind yourself that this is a special time, a birthday party for Jesus – you wouldn’t want to ruin Jesus’ birthday party with anger, bitterness and resentment flailing around – would you!
6. Don’t let the birth of our Savior slip by!  Plan now to create a special observance of our Saviors birth.  Whether you read the account in Luke, pray together or worship through music, devote special time just to celebrate Jesus!

—Jennifer McBride