Christmas stress. Do you have it? It seems that many of us deal with this every year. The stress comes in many forms: decorating your house, buying all the gifts within your budget, and planning the perfect meal for your family’s Christmas dinner. Yet I believe there are five ways to be content at Christmas – before, during, and after.
Five ways to be content at Christmas: Before, During, and After
1. Before Christmas: Planning for Contentment
Determine what’s important & ditch the rest
Sometimes I think Christmas is too much work. There are so many things on our should-do list. And some don’t get done. Like the tradition of sending out Christmas cards to your friends and family. That tradition is usually on my list, but they rarely get done.
One year, I changed it up and sent out Happy Valentine’s Day cards in February. People loved them because our card and letter were the only ones they received that February. There are some traditions that if they don’t get done, it won’t matter.
If getting something done causes you stress, re-evaluate whether it is needed. If the task is needed, ask for help or delegate it to another trusted family member to assist you or take the task on.
Take time for yourself
Schedule time to relax when you are tired from running from one task to another. Read a book or take a walk. Call a friend and meet up with them for coffee. Calm down and quiet yourself so you can take time to de-stress.
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Psalm 131:2 ESV
Once you have had a chance to calm yourself, it is like a little one on their mother’s lap. They know that their mom has them held securely and will take care of their need. The child sleeps with contentment and doesn’t have a care in the world.
2. Time in His Presence
Maybe when you’ve sat down to rest, you pick up your Bible and spend time in God’s presence. When we read our Bible and learn more about who God is, we have joy and continuous blessings.
Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
Psalm 21:6 ESV
Reading God’s Word each day will strengthen and encourage you. Jesus took time out of His busy day to connect with God. He would pray at the beginning of His day (Mark 1:35) and the middle of the day (Luke 5:16). And he even prayed at night (Luke 22:39-46). Jesus made prayer and communion with God a daily occurrence throughout the day.
3. During Christmas: Refrain from Indulging
Overeating during the holidays is a natural thing to do. The food is so good. There are usually some of the favorites that you get once a year. However, eating to eat isn’t healthy. Many times we overeat because we are stressed.
This is my second advent season that I have read Susie Larson’s book, Prepare Him Room. It is so good! Unfortunately, it is sold out everywhere. It is a must-read for next year’s Advent season. Anyhow – I love this quote! Instead of doing the natural thing, we need to do what is supernatural.
But its supernatural to manage your stress and arrive at the holiday season with a grounded sense of purpose and expectancy.
Susie Larson
During this Christmas season, purposefully plan what you will tell yourself when you are stressed and want to reach for that food. 🍱 You will leave the table satisfied but not overfull and in discomfort.
4. Be present amid the people around you
There is often family stress at Christmas. But with all the preparations that need to be done, take time to be present with your family. Play with the kids or grandkids. Talk to the family member who may be harder to get along with. Love on them as Jesus would.
In the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus stopped at their house. Martha invited him into their home but was busy making all the preparations. Her sister, Mary, sat at His feet and listened to all He had to say (Luke 10:38-42). Martha was upset about this and complained to Jesus.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42 ESV
Choose to be content at Christmas by spending more time with those around you. You will be glad that you did!
5. After Christmas: There is Hope Ahead
Once the people have gone home and the decorations are stowed away, I can sometimes feel down. I love the music, the lights on the tree and around the house, the excitement of the season, and spending precious time with our loved ones. I know I will see them again. And Christmas will come again in another 360+ days.
But I am not in control of this world. I don’t know if I will have another Christmas. Or if they will. All of life is uncertain, and the Lord God is the one in control. I don’t need to feel down. Instead, I need to fear the Lord, for He is the one who leads me to be content at Christmas and in the years ahead.
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Proverbs 19:23 ESV
Content at Christmas Summary
Take a moment to go back and re-read this post. Which items do you want to do this year to prepare before December 25th, during your family festivities, or after everyone leaves? Pray about it and make your plan now.
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