How to Have a Blessed Christmas vs. a Christmess

[Guest guest]

How to Have a Blessed Christmas vs. a Christmess by Jewel Diamond

The holidays can trigger feelings of melancholy, stress and depression.

Try not to get caught up in the hype, materialism, commercialism or illusions that holidays bring. Keep it simple and remember the reason for the season.

Watch out for the battle of the bulge (eating too much), the battle of the budget (spending too much), the battle of the booze (drinking), and the battle of the blues (depression)!

Holiday Tips

Make creative gifts like: candles, baked goods, greeting cards, record a loved one’s favorite musical selections on an audio tape or CD, create a collage of photographs, a poem on fancy paper, a special greeting or memory recorded on a video tape, give gift certificates for a massage, pedicure, pampering services or books.

Don’t allow excuses (i.e., family grudges, my house needs painting, I need new furniture, I don’t have enough chairs) to keep you from enjoying family and friends.

Don’t procrastinate.

Enjoy family and friends now.

Being around laughter and good food is healing.

If your money is a low, don’t be embarrassed to ask everyone to bring a dish (sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, greens, macaroni and cheese or the beverages).

Even if everyone has to bring a chair because you have only one couch, so what!

Ask them to bring a chair and a card table.

Parents, don’t allow your children to make you feel guilty and pressure you into spending and shopping until you drop.

Stay within your budget and don’t allow your children’s begging, harassment or tantrums stress you out.

You may feel inadequate because you’re unemployed, single, going through a divorce or because you see everyone around you buying the latest and greatest gifts.

You’ll find yourself in financial bondage if you allow your child to buy you a first class ticket for a guilt trip.

Take some time with your family and friends and share your blessings, achievements and testimonies from this past year.

Share your goals and plans for the new year. Each one write down at least three goals you have for the new year.

Place them in separate sealed envelopes and pray together over them asking for God’s guidance, grace and blessings.

Next year all of you plan to meet again at the end of the year to review and celebrate your achievements.

The holidays have become less consecrated and more commercial.

Let us put the words “holy” back into “holidays” and “Christ” back into “Christmas.”

As we heal on a national and personal level from the sorrow and changes in our lives, I know you join me in strengthening your faith, courage and relationships with the Lord, family, friends and community.

Let us give the best gifts all year like acts of kindness, service, compassion, charity and encouragement.