By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
DiAnn Mills
Friend, please don’t open the unwanted Christmas gift of stress. The black paper and black bow with an attaching-grabbing tag, Open Me First will spoil your celebration.
You’ll recognize the items inside:
- Friend, cut short any family or friend events. You have too much work to do.
- Friend, stress is your friend. If you aren’t stressed, you aren’t valued.
- Friend, no need for last-minute shopping. Family and friends understand you’re too busy to remember them at Christmas.
- Friend, remember your favorite Christmas character is Scrooge. He got it right.
- Friend, if you’re planning to attend midnight church services on Christmas Eve, cancel it. You should be working, cleaning, or something productive.
- Friend, here’s permission to spend one hour with Christmas festivities. Then back to work.
- Friend, you may need to eat junk food and forego exercise. Not enough time.
Unfortunately, I know those who open this gift before Christmas and practice it year-round.
But NOT you!
You are among the wise who respect the season. This gift is wrapped in colors of love, peace, and contains wisdom:
- Dear friend, believe Christmas wasn’t created for stress.
- Dear friend, enjoy a time of relaxation.
- Dear friend, practice the art of priorities: God, family, friends, and work in that order.
- Dear friend, plan for holidays and special events throughout the year.
- Dear friend, employ time management techniques to meet deadlines.
- Dear friend, enlist an accountability partner to help each other journey through the exciting and meaningful days of Christmas.
- Dear friend, insist upon balance, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.
- Dear friend, value healthy bodies by eating nutritionally sound and exercising regularly.
- Dear friend, look forward to the holidays no matter what is going on in their lives.
- Dear friend, treasure the gift of wisdom.
What gifts from the above list will you open this year?
Comments 22
Merry CHRISTmas to you and Mr. Dean ma’am. God’s blessings. For me, I want little, as in Christ, I have it all. 🙂 God’s blessings. Still, a new boot cleaner and some more inserts would be nice.
JD, I’m still laughing. I hope you receive a new boot cleaner and inserts. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, DiAnn.
A much needed, and appreciated reminder. I need to absorb it. This season, which reminds us that
Jesus brought us peace; is a great stress reliever.
Frances, Yes, peace. And this world is in desperate need of peace. Love to you.
Remembering “the Reason for the season!”
Karlene, thank you! Jesus is our reason.
I open this “gift,” and then rewrap it and shove it away. Then repeat, repeat, repeat. It’s a struggle! I appreciate your tips and reminders of what’s really important. Merry Christmas, DiAnn!
Kristine, I do the same thing. But His mercies are new every morning. Thank you!
Thank you for these healthy reminders of life.
Take time to remember why and for whom we celebrate Christmas.
Rejoice
Joyce, Thank you! We need to be spiritually healthy!
I schedule a “jubilee” day in December. We stay home in our pajamas and do close to nothing all day. We leave the stresses of the world behind and bake a birthday cake for Jesus.
Mary, I love that idea. A “Jubilee” day. That’s a magazine article! Thank you.
You always say such good things.
Aw, Eileen, that’s so sweet. Thank you! Christmas blessings for you.
I’ve made a yearly habit of not letting the things I think I need to do take priority over the joy of the Christmas season. Yes, I relax, reflect and enjoy the peace that this season will bring if we let it.
Blessings, DiAnn!
Martha, you have found the secret of celebrating a true Christmas. Blessings to you!
We all know the meaning behind WWJD. What about DJWW?
For me, it says Devil Just Won’t Win.
Every day we are faced with choices. Today, I choose Jesus.
Kathi, I love that! May need to pass that one on to the grandkids. Thanks!
This is beautiful! Until 3 yrs ago I had my health and as always buzzing around and busy at the holidays. Then two chronic illness hit at the same time and I was laid flat. Not being able to do any decorating or baking and I was so discouraged. BUT this year I found a wonderful Advent devotional and my heart has truly centered on the reason for Christmas. I always knew it but the busyness I got caught up in distracts me. I’m so thankful that the Lord has me now focused on being and not doing. Thanks for the good reminder!
Thank you, Kelli. You are a true worshiper of Jesus. What is the title of the Advent Journal?
Such good advice and I needed to be reminded.
Thank you and Christmas blessings!
Thanks, Pamela. I appreciate your kind words.