Avoiding the Christmas Blues [part 3]

Thought number 3…ENJOY YOUR FAMILY. God gave us our families to enjoy. I don’t care if you have a million kids or your only family is the family of God. Enjoy the family this year.

For those of us with kids, this is a precious time that will come and go faster than we want to acknowledge. The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord. I know at times it doesn’t seem like it with the runny noses, poopy diapers and nagging questions all of the time, but nevertheless, the Bible is true. They are. Spend some quiet evenings together with your spouse or your children. No TV, no video games, just enjoying each others’ company. These are rich times in our lives that need to be cherished.

No matter what stage in life you are at, you can enjoy today. Find a friend, find a family member or simply enjoy the company of God during this awesome time. Let this season be one that you will remember forever…for all the right reasons. God bless and Merry Christmas!

Avoiding the Christmas Blues [part 2]

The second thought I would like to impart to you this Christmas season is to REMEMBER THE REASON. The old saying goes like this “Jesus is the reason for the season”. It’s true, He really is. It’s okay to enjoy all of the trappings that go along with the Christmas holiday. Go to the plays, the parties and sing the carols. Let’s just be careful to not leave Him out.

I want you to imagine what it would be like to actually grow closer to Jesus Christ this Christmas rather than just barely making it through. What would it look like if you were more “in tune” with what He had for your life? What if you could get direction for 2008 that would make next year so much more productive instead of just aimlessly going through the motions.

Now that you have dreamed about it, what do you have to do to make it happen? Maybe prioritize your time or your schedule. Fast a meal and pray in recognition of what He has done for you and what the holiday is all about. Ask God what He would have you do to put Him first this Christmas. It may be hard, but you won’t be disappointed.

Avoiding the Christmas Blues [part 1]

Why is it that the happiest season of all usually turns into the most stressful as we get closer? Hectic schedules, shopping and a whole host of other things cloud our thoughts and cause us to become overwhelmed at times. This year, do something different. I invite you to take a different approach.

First of all, BE A STEWARD. Don’t fall into the commercialization trap of secular Christmas. You don’t have to look back in January wishing you wouldn’t have spent so much on gifts that most people will have forgotten in a few days anyway. I’m not saying you have to be a Scrooge or anything, just be realistic. I encourage you to honestly and prayerfully consider how much you can actually afford to spend on Christmas this year. I didn’t say how much you want to spend, or to figure out how many people you have to buy for, I said to consider how much you can actually spend, wisely. If it is $100, it’s $100. If it’s $1000, it’s $1000. If it’s $5, it’s $5. I know, you are all saying, “Yeah, but…” No excuses, no fudging, let’s be a steward this year. Then, when you have come up with a number, decide who you are going to buy for and how much for each person. If you don’t have anything left for some people, bake cookies. Let’s try to remember that Christmas is not about gifts, it’s about THE GIFT.

I know we all want to bless people at this time of year, but let’s not wreck our budgets and ignore God’s command to be a good steward with our money. This will save you a lot of stress and get you a lot of respect, I believe, for being wise with what God has given you. Oh, and you’ll look back in January and be thankful that you didn’t waste your money buying another tie for dear old Dad that’s just going to collect dust in the back of the closet.