A Few Weeks Before Christmas: How to Find Joy in the Season

Christmas is just weeks away. There’s so much hustle and bustle during this time of year, and frankly, I just don’t want to expend energy on rushing around. There is so much I could, and perhaps should be doing to prepare for the holiday, but I just don’t want to. I want to be still. I want to hear from God. I don’t feel like moving.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

And yet, this is the season of moving and activity. A lot of moving.

But I am being still. And I like it. I like it a lot.

It wasn’t always this way. I used to go into an emotional and frantic fog from the end of November through to the beginning of January. On a quest to make Christmas perfect for everyone around me, I’d miss the holiday and the joy the holiday time can bring.

What cookies should I make? What would be the prefect Christmas Eve brunch? What gifts would be perfect? How do I keep everyone happy? And I’d miss it. I’d miss what was most important.

I want to be present. I want to spend time with my family and friends. I want to learn the lessons God has for me.

There’s a formula I’ve learned to keep things in perspective and keep what’s most important at the top of my priority list.

Can I share it with you?

It’s what I call Have To, Like To, Whatever. And it’s worked for me for years. In fact, in the bustle of the holiday last year I was sipping coffee at a Starbucks in a Target—relaxing—and watching all the hustle and hoopla all around me. It was wonderful.

Here’s how it works:

Have To: Make a list of all the absolutely have to things you must get done. Stuff like gifts for those special people, food stuff (food is always a have to for me), time to listen for God, and a doable Christmas Eve brunch menu.

Like To: I’d really like to whip out the china, make those mouthwatering chocolate peanut butter cups, and  find a Christmas dress. Boy, I’d really like to do these things, but they are different than have to list items. I’d like to, but, if I don’t, the holiday will still be filled with joy.

Whatever: As in, I’d like for this to happen, but if it doesn’t WHATEVER. Life will go on and sad reindeer won’t fall from the sky and Christmas will still happen. Oops! I didn’t do such and such this year—whatever.

And even with my fantastically wonderful system I almost didn’t accept an invitation to visit my son and his family during this festive season. In his area there are many Christmassy events to celebrate with, and  because I feared I wouldn’t get all my Have To list done I almost missed it. I paused, took a deep breath, reminded myself this is what it’s all about, and booked a flight that day. And I’m so glad I did.

Time missed with family is time you can never get back.

Like watching my little nine-month-old granddaughter be WOWED with everything her little hands grasp, let’s be WOWED with the joy of family and friends at Christmastime.

And not miss it.

Fondly,

Lu

Lucille Williams is the author of “From Me to We” and “The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes”   order a copy today to enhance your marriage. Subscribe to LuSays for weekly encouragement.