“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The holiday season is in full swing and Christmas is right around the corner. Bright colors of red and green are on display, the weather is growing colder, and all your favorite Christmas tunes are playing everywhere you go. There’s no question Christmas is the most fun time of the year!  However, according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people report increased stress levels during this season.  With all the hustle and bustle that comes with Christmas, it’s so easy for the festivities to overshadow what is truly important. However, there are a few ways to counteract this and intentionally focus on what matters most this Christmas.

1. Sing Christmas Carols 

Songs play a major role in creating the holiday spirit. Whether you sing about a reindeer named Rudolph, bells that jingle, or even a reindeer that runs over a grandma, songs like these bring Christmas cheer to all.  But among the fun, light-hearted songs of the season are incredible hymns that speak powerfully about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Songs such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing point us toward the true meaning of what this amazing time of celebration is all about. As you sing these great Christmas carols with family and friends, you’ll experience the true joy encompassed in the reason for the season.

2. Enjoy Time with Loved Ones

The holidays create opportunity unlike any other time of the year to spend extra time with family, friends, and loved ones. One of the keys to enjoying the holiday season is not overcommitting yourself to activities which can lead to increased stress and anxiety. The holiday season affords us an opportunity to make memories that cannot be replicated.  Just think, never again will you be able to relive 2017.

Your kids will never be the same age as they are today.  Look at how much life has changed in the last 365 days and consider the thought of how different things will look after the next 365 days. Therefore, it’s important not to just “SPEND time with loved ones” this holiday season, but instead make a conscious effort to “ENJOY time with loved ones”.  Play games, bake some cookies, laugh a lot, and make some new memories!

 3. Read the Christmas Story 

It’s important for you to read the Christmas story multiple times throughout the holiday season. The commercialization of the holidays can easily distract us from its true purpose. But when we read the Christmas story in Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 1 and 2, it puts the spotlight on the reason for the season, which is Jesus Christ. As you take time this Christmas to read the historical account by yourself and with family, it will help keep you focused on what this special day is all about.

 4. Be Thankful  

As mentioned previously, if we’re not careful, the commercialization of Christmas and the heavy emphasis on receiving gifts can lead towards making this holiday all about us. On the other hand, expressing gratitude shifts a person’s focus from the inward to the outward.  Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to: “Be thankful in all circumstances.”  This Christmas, first and foremost, thank God for the precious gift of his son Jesus through whom we can have a relationship with God.

In addition, look for opportunities to express gratitude the next time you’re at the store, or enjoying a meal at a restaurant. You’ll be surprised at just how rarely the person providing the service receives this type of feedback, which opens the door to make a great impact in their life. Even in your home, look for ways to encourage and thank those in your family, like those slaving over the stove making and baking those incredible holiday dishes!

5. Give to Others 

The Christmas season is great for many, but not for all. The Census Bureau recently reported that nearly 18% of kids under the age of 18 live in poverty. That means that almost 1 out of every 5 children will go without gifts and special festivities this Christmas. Using the holiday season to bless someone in need will help your family see the bigger world around them. Find a friend, family member, or charity you can bless and watch the impact it will have. Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” Let us strive to be generous and give to others this Christmas!

As we get closer to this wonderful holiday, be intentional about making the most of this season.  Create new memories, explore new traditions, but most of all have the right perspective and remember the reason for the season. May you draw closer to God this Christmas, and may your family experience the joy and peace He brings!