Oh, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season! There’s so MUCH to get done, so many great things to do as a family, and then there are all those projects, crafts, and activities that everyone will love to do. PHEW! That list makes me exhausted, just writing it. I’m beginning to think that my family might need to begin simplifying Christmas.
I love Christmas! I love the spirit of good will that fills everyone! I love the excitement, lights, and beauty that is on display! Sometimes though, I wonder if all these outward observances are getting in the way of more personal inward observances.
Please don’t misunderstand… I know everyone celebrates Christmas and the holidays in the way they enjoy the most. I’m just wondering—if we actually stopped and evaluated all the things we tried to do in 30 (give or take) days, would we still do it all?
As I was pondering this question this year, I realized that as much as I love all the things to do at Christmas time, I was letting the good things to do get in the way of the best things the season has to offer. So, as a family, we decided to limit some of the season’s delights and replace them with more Christ-centered celebrations.
Some of the things we’ve decided to limit this year included our exterior lights display, our interior decorations, and the number of nights we spend out of the house as a family. We have replaced these activities with a nightly devotional, and time spent together as a family at home. These new traditions seem to be lending to more of a peaceful Christmas spirit – instead of a frantic Christmas rush.
Cutting the Lights:
We didn’t set out our light display this year.
I am a huge fan of Christmas light displays. I love watching them. They fill the night with so much light and warmth. So, it was a difficult personal discussion about whether to put up the Christmas lights this year or not. I finally decided that the time needed to put the lights up would have to be taken from time with my family. We’ve been so busy as a family lately, and time spent with my family feels so precious – that the light display didn’t get put up.
Cutting Back on the Christmas Décor:
We have our tree up, and had a great time decorating it. We also have a couple Nativities out and a Kneeling Santa, but that’s all we’ve put out on the inside this year. Again, this decision was difficult to make, but basically it boiled down to which was more important to me – dressing up my house or being present with my children.
Staying Home More:
We’ve gone to the children’s school Christmas performance and we will go to our church’s celebration, but we have not gone to any of the other community events in our area. It’s not that we don’t enjoy them, but the bustle of getting to the events often creates such a feeling of contention and stress that the trade-off doesn’t feel worth it.
Nightly Devotional:
We replaced beiing busy with making time for a family devotional every night.
After the kids are clean for the night, and the house has been put to bed – meaning straightened and ready for the next day, our family gathers to read scripture verses, discuss them, and sing Christmas carols and other religious songs. While we aren’t studying from the New Testament, we are still studying about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This brings a wonderful spirit into our home each evening. It also helps to have the house in order before going to bed. This adds to the spirit of peace and allows for a smoother morning (most of the time.)
These are some of the ways we are trying to make Christmas more quiet and peaceful this year. Have you changed any of your family’s activities in order to refocus on the meaning for the season?
Comments 8
I know what you mean Deb. I don’t do as many Christmas things as probably a LOT of other people do. We stick to decorating the tree, we made a gingerbread house too. And we do the gifts and all that. The things I’ve cut out are making treats for neighbors, decorating ornaments and making fudge. I’m so pressed for time that I really have to be okay with doing the basics I know my kids enjoy.
Author
Exactly, the point is to spend time doing things the family enjoys. It sounds like you have a great Christmas with your family. 🙂
We just moved, so things have been especially busy for us. We’ve really simplified our approach this year, too. We put up the trees (a regular tree and a Jesse Tree that we use along with our Christmas Bible readings), put a few things on the mantle (including the nativity), and I hope to do some baking this week. That’s about it. It’s nice to have less going on.
Author
It sounds like your house is lovely and full of the Christmas spirit. I hope your baking goes well and that you have a peaceful Christmas. 🙂
Beautifully put on how and why to focus on the true meaning and importance of Christmas. By scaling back we actually have the energy and time to enjoy what is truly so special at this time of year. I really appreciate your time in writing this.
Author
You are so kind in your words. Thank you for your understanding and generous comments. I wish you a very peaceful Christmas. 🙂
I read this article last night & it has given me a lot to think about today. Thank you for your wise advice. I agree with you. We asked our children what they wanted to do this year. They wanted us to go to their performances, play in the snow, drive around to look at lights & play board games with them. Simple is best. Time with our children is such a treasure. Thank you. You are a wonderful mom!
Author
I love how you brought your decision about how to celebrate Christmas to your children. That was a wonderful way to include them, too. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!