By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
‘Tis the Christmas season, and with all the hustle and bustle, we sometimes forget the real Christmas spirit. When moments of irritation and frustration threaten your joy, look at these ten ways to bring hope and joy back into your Christmas.
- Change your music selections to Christmas carols. As you sing along to the familiar classics, think about the words. The following link is to several of the best Christmas carols: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3zPfodEfdo Also The Carols of Christmas: The History and Heart Behind Your Favorite Christmas Songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSIM8m1tqbY
- Preparing Christmas cards can be enjoyable or a task. If time and the cost of postage exceeds your budget, consider the many choices of e-cards. The variety allows the sender to personalize and schedule the greeting.
- Plan to attend your church’s Christmas Eve service. Sing your lungs out and praise God for the birth of His Son Jesus.
- Give to those less fortunate. Churches and community organizations often provide a list of needy families. In blessing others, we are blessed.
- Invite neighbors, friends, and family to a cookie swap. Enjoy the fun, the sweets, and exchanging treasured recipes.
- Add a festive touch to the workplace with a secret Santa event. Small gifts given in secret bring out the child in us.
- Reflect on the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. What if Jesus were born today. What might be the circumstances?
- Yes, rest. This time of year exhausts us, so don’t hesitate to take a nap.
- Remember the special Christmases of your childhood? Journal what you recall and share those memories on social media or in person with others.
- Laugh! If one season of the year is meant for laughter, it’s Christmas. Joy to the world begins with one person.
When a sinking feeling threatens to rob you this special time of the year, read over these tips and find your Christmas joy.
Comments 29
Thank you, dear DiAnn!
Linda, you are so welcome!
Thanks DiAnn
A word in season is quite fitting and encouraging. I listen to Christmas songs as I cook, or work on mail. You are an encourager.
Author
Frances, if I’m an encourager, I learned from you. Be blessed!
Thank you for the wonderful reminders to help us keep Christmas Christ centered!
Because I have finished my shopping (I have a large family) I believe I will be much more relaxed this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas to you and all your readers!
Pamela, you are so smart! Now you will enjoy a truly restful and blessed Christmas season.
Have BLESSED Christmas my dear friend:~))
https://youtu.be/EhbzNxeiXVM?si=3gz4f0sfRIezxeX4
Vonda, thank you! I’m listening now. So beautiful.
Every year Christmas is a bit different. There have been several losses over the past few years. Each one has left a void in my life. I especially notice it at Christmas. Jesus comforts me always.
Author
Cindy, He is a God of comfort. Imagine the huge celebration in heaven!
I love listening to the old classic carols and hymn such as Carols from Kings, the Anglican carols, and The Messiah. The theological content is so rich and the melodies so compelling. Carols and an inspiring book are my “thing.” The next best part is time spent in preparing for and being with family.
Author
Thanks, Joyce, I love The Messiah! Yesterday I was singing my heart out –
Thank you so much for these wonderful tips. I really need them. With a husband that is mostly home bound and needs my care and a son who is fighting cancer, I tend to get down in the dumps, especially this time of year. I have always loved Christmas but we have had to adjust our holiday traditions in the last few years. Thank you again for your tips and will incorporate a few into my life over the next month. Have a very merry and blessed Christmas.
Author
Thank you, Donna, I am praying for you and your husband. I lost my husband to ALS in October. Finding joy only comes from our God.
DiAnn, your joy in such difficult circumstances blesses me. It is contagious!
Author
Oh, thank you, sweet friend. God is giving me all I need for joy.
DiAnn and Cindy, I’m praying right now that God provides you both the peace, comfort, and happy memories to warm your hearts this Christmas. Imaging God wrapping His arms around you and holding you to His chest and whispering, “It will be alright. I’m here. I won’t let go.”
Blessings from my heart to yours.
Excellent. Last year, my hubby and I started a new tradition. We have a family party. The grands created charades cards and scavenger hunt lists. They drew the pictures and everyone had to participate. This year, we also made ornaments, decorated cookies, and turned on the snow machine. Lots of fun for the neighbors, too. The best part is remembering the love that God has for each of us. Our words and actions may lead others to know God. 🙂
Author
Melissa, I love the family and neighbors tradition. Too often we get caught up in the commercialism and forget Jesus is the reason for the season.
I love the Christmas season—and all these ideas are wonderful!
I realized not long ago the word REST is discovered in STRESS. But to find it, you must omit some things and do some rearranging. That’s what I find true about this beautiful season. Though it is attainable, we must make some intentional choices.❤️💚❤️
Author
Maureen, I love the digging for rest from stress – like digging for gold among heavy rocks. Thank you!
Laughing is my favorite tip! Bring on the JOY!
Author
Yes!!! Bring on the joy!
Great tips!
Author
Thanks, Debbie – Too often we forget the reason for the season is Jesus.
Love the list! Thank you, Diane.
Author
Thank you, Kathryn, for reading the post!
Yes! Yes! Yes! And also read Christmas books. Thanks for the websites to the Christmas carols.
Blessings.
Author
Barbara, I turn on music when I get up and it stays on all day – even when I sing along!