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.