The holidays can bring out the best or the worst in all of us. We cram unusual activities into our schedules. We long for scenarios that may never happen just because it is Christmas. Our expectations are sky-high for people who haven’t performed so well up to this point! For some reason, we think the magic of the season will produce a different result or reaction from those who disappoint all year long. The traditions and practices of the season are unlike any other time of year. Everything is different at Christmas.

Why is this?

Is it true that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year?” My mother used to say the whole world seemed to change for the better at Christmas. To her, people acknowledged the Reason for the season. I think she was right. Things were prettier, and people were nicer; the flow of society was happier and more gentle as anticipation grew toward Christmas. Judeo-Christian values were the cultural norm, governing behavior and how the season was celebrated.

Unfortunately, the world is different now, and more than ever, we must focus on our individual journeys with Jesus to cope with the world as it is. Followers of Jesus must remain faithful to Him and choose Him when culture is unhinged. We truly have to decide to follow Jesus daily, and the Christmas season reminds us of the reason He is worthy of that effort.

Let’s not allow the darkness to do what darkness does. Darkness will creep into your soul and make you cynical of all that’s merry and bright and of the goodwill still present on this earth. Even today at church, someone asked how she could quit focusing on all the bad in the world. If you are wondering the same, here are my tips to help.

Tips to Eliminate Stress at Christmas:

• Stay with Jesus – Focus on scripture reading and prayer. Add this to your life if it isn’t already. There are all kinds of Christmas Bible reading plans online. Find one and start it. If you are already in this habit, keep it going. This daily discipline will save your life and keep you sane.
• Enjoy the Body of Christ – If regular church attendance is already part of your life, keep that going. Be at your local church as often as the church holiday schedule allows. Our religious freedom is a gift, and corporate worship is God’s idea.
• Pray for the lost – Your friends and family who don’t yet know Him need your prayers. You may have a divine opportunity in the next few weeks. You’ll be ready for it if you’ve spent time with the Father.
• Play the sacred Christmas carols – “Grandma got run over by a reindeer” in no way captures the beauty of Christ coming to earth. Raise the essence of the season and download some gorgeous, choral, or orchestral music.
• Love the ones you are with – Be kind, and use manners with those you’re around every day. You will feel better about yourself and your relationship with the Lord.
• Teach the traditional– Christmas carols, old movies, poetry from days gone by, and lasting beliefs. Snuggle up and share storybooks of Jesus coming to earth. Focus on the biblical more than the secular.
• Keep good routines – If you have good habits such as eating right, going to bed at a regular time, or exercise, then keep it up. If not, start. All these things are remedies for stress.
• Serve others – This is basic Christianity and should be done regularly anyway. Work in your local church as there’s often a need for volunteers to greet at the Christmas services, serve meals, or buy presents for others.
• Live Christ-like – Don’t let your stress overwhelm you. There is incredible suffering, and people who know you are watching you. You can bring the light of Jesus to those around you with a gentle spirit.

The darkness of this world can breed cynicism in all of us. As followers of Jesus, we have His light within us, and we can be vigilant to keep the light burning as steady as a lighthouse. Let’s not cave into the world’s darkness. Let’s live as children of the Light because the world has nothing to offer to us. They are searching for the Light. We have to remember…Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

©Valerie Rumfelt