Here we have arrived at the
week of Christmas. It has likely been a
holiday whirlwind since Thanksgiving with gift buying, decorating, wrapping,
party attending, travel planning, baking, and hosting galore. So take a deep breath, grab that to-do list,
and decide to go ahead and check it twice.
Ideally, these tasks are all
complete:
You’ve bought gifts for
everyone you intended to. You’ve wrapped
or shipped every one of them. You baked
the goodies you wanted to share with a select few and delivered them. You’ve mailed your Christmas cards. If you’re preparing Christmas dinner, you
have your menu planned and your grocery list ready. If you’re hosting family in your home, you are
wrapping up your preparations in anticipation of their arrival. If you’re traveling, you have your flight or
driving plans made and your luggage at the ready. You’ve accomplished everything necessary to
finish up the kids’ school days before the break.
Is it any wonder we make it
through such a bustling season with so much on our plates? But the best news is that all of these things
– the parties, the gift giving, the time spent with family – is all meant to
point us back to the reason for this season.
We’re joyful and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. When we get bogged down by trying to
accomplish a seemingly insurmountable list, we have to stop and remember why
it’s all worth it and what it should all stand for. We give because we’ve been given the ultimate
gift. We share because we have an
abundance that overflows to our loved ones.
We relish Christmas because it means we have a hope greater than any
to-do list task could offer.
So as we enter this week of
Christmas, let’s give ourselves a little gift each day to help the true meaning
of Christmas stand out above the rest.
Today, give yourself the gift of reflection. Remember your best Christmas memories of years
past. Share stories, look at old
pictures, or just take some time in thought to remember what has made this time
of year special and memorable for you.
Tomorrow, focus on the gift of thankfulness. One of the fastest ways to banish an
overwhelmed outlook is to count your blessings and dwell on the things you’re
most thankful for now and all throughout the year. Tuesday, give yourself the gift of
quiet. Maybe you can only garner a few
minutes, but deliberately remove yourself from the commotion and relish a
little renewing silence. Wednesday, give
yourself the gift of breathing – you know, that thing we do naturally in short
spurts when things are hectic. Instead,
take some intentional deep, slow breaths.
It will be Christmas Eve, time to wind down, making sure you’re enjoying
that slide into Christmas Day.
I wish you a genuinely
Merry Christmas as we stop to acknowledge Christ’s birth. After all, that is the ultimate top to any
Christmas list. Merry Christmas!
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 21st.
