How to Look Past the Craziness, Remember Why Christmas Matters and ENJOY the Season.

If I’m honest, there have been times in my life when I haven’t really enjoyed the Christmas season. Especially as a worship leader. Between additional services, re-learning songs I haven’t sang in a year, teaching arrangements, and everything else that goes into Christmas in church (not to mention life outside of that!), it can be overwhelming and at times even frustrating. 

Today I want to share a handful of ways to look past the craziness, remember why Christmas matters and ENJOY the season. You may not be able to do everything on this list, but even doing just one of these should help! I’m doing them too. And so far, this year I’m loving the season!

1.    Take time to Worship

Remember that the Christmas season is a season for worship. It marks the day that God the Father sent His only Son to be a sacrifice on your behalf. That should move you to worship! Take some time to get into the presence of the Lord. (Want to encourage others to do this? Check out THIS BLOG POST from last week)

2.    Take Something Off Your List

There are so many things asking for our attention this time of year: Christmas parties, travel, cookie exchanges, 25 Days of Christmas Movies on ABC Family (I think they changed their name), hallmark movies, Christmas shopping, church events, etc. Don’t feel like you have to do it all. And do let fear of missing out force you to do it all. Take something off the list. Free up a night in the week. Create some margin to do whatever it is that will allow you to enjoy the season and remember why it’s so important. (For me, I’m making time for Christmas movies with people I care about.) Need help creating margin? Check out THIS POST I wrote last year.

3.    Read the Christmas Story

I’m putting this here because I forget to do it some years. In the midst of the hustle, sometimes I forget to read the bible. Which is kind of funny because most of my hustle is church related! This year though, I’ve tried to be intentional about reading through the Christmas story during the Christmas season. In my reading, I’ve tried to look at the birth of Jesus through Mary’s perspective as well as Joseph’s; I’ve considered what the Shepherds must’ve felt when the angels appeared; and I’ve wondered what could have compelled the wise-men to follow a star. It’s been a great way to ignite a sense of wonder inside myself!

4.    Start a Tradition

I do realize starting a tradition is the opposite of my second suggestion, to take something off the list. But different people are going to need to do different things! And I think traditions are fun. My family used to go to Waffle House every year at Christmas! That was a fun one! This year, I went to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. It has 9 acres of indoor gardens decorated for Christmas! I think that’s going to be a yearly event for me! Try starting something new this year. Something fun. Something that will remind you that joy is a Fruit of the Spirit. 

5.    Turn Off Your Phone

Turning off your phone is good advice any time of year. You really should try it. Especially when you’re doing any of the last 4 things on the list. Christmas comes and goes fast. Be in the moment! If you’re on your phone, you’ll miss it. And it’s too good to miss. 

6.    Give a Gift to Someone who Doesn’t Expect It

This is easily the most fun thing on the list. And it won’t take much time or effort. You could even keep your phone on for it. Practice generosity during Christmas. When you do, you’ll see people’s faces light up. I’m not saying you need to spend tons of money on tons of people, but do try to do something simple. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line, bake a pie for the office (I like to bake, I might do that one), or tip extra at the restaurant. Look for ways to give!

Christmas can be the best or worst time of year. Although there may be a number of factors, it’s ultimately your choice. I hope you’ll choose to act on one (or more!) of the 6 ideas above. I hope you’ll step back from the chaos, remember what’s most important, and find joy over the coming weeks. I hope it’s an incredible Christmas season.