We have officially entered the most wonderful time of year. It’s a season rich with hope, wonder and holiday cheer. But it also has the potential to be the most hurried, hectic and stressful time of year too.
Last week, as I turned the page of my planner from November to December, I took a deep breath and declared out-loud, “Ok. Here we go. I WILL NOT give-in to the Christmas crazy.”
The dogs didn’t even lift their heads. They were the only ones home to care.
For years I sat under the weight of one looming question: How can I embrace the fullness of this Christmas season without getting completely swallowed up by it?
Or, to put it simply: How can I avoid the “Christmas Crazy”?
Several years ago, the Lord pushed me towards simplicity, towards a single-hearted focus on Immanuel, God with us. That year I came up with a list of 5 ways to avoid the Christmas crazy. It has served me well over the years, which is why I’m sharing it now with you.
#1: Choose your focus
The first way to avoid the Christmas crazy is to pay attention to your focus.
Several years ago I learned a principle that has had a profound impact on my daily perspective. That principle is: Whatever you focus on will always bet bigger.
I’ve realized that whether it’s how I’m looking at my circumstances, myself, my marriage or my kids, whatever I focus on always gets bigger in my mind. I can choose to focus on the positives and blessings, and live out of abundance. Or, I can choose to focus on the disappointments and frustrations, and live out of scarcity. It seems like an obvious choice, but I don’t always choose well.
The key is to be aware of your focus. Are you focused on all the little annoyances, distractions, frustrations, and crummy circumstances {aka. all those things that make you crazy}?
Or are you focused on all the ways you’ve been blessed, the bright spots of hope in your day, and the little miracles happening all around you?
We choose crazy when we choose the former instead of the latter.
#2: Slow down
The second way to avoid the Christmas crazy is to slow down.
This one is big for me because I do everything fast. I get this trait from my mom, who also likes life best in the fast lane. While my efficiency can prove helpful in many things, I’m consistently challenged to remain present in the now – to not speed through this moment, pregnant with presence, purpose and grace just to get to the next one.
How much have I missed in this now moment because I’m moving too fast to notice, embrace, and receive?
Crazy for me begins with my pace. When I’m living fast and frantic, crazy creeps in with same intensity.
So during the holiday season, pay attention to your speed. When your dial is stuck on hurry, ask yourself the question, “What’s driving me?”. Then follow up with this simple prayer, “Lord, unrush me.”
#3: Choose small; tend large
The third way to avoid the Christmas crazy comes in the form of another principle: choose small; tend large.
For me, Christmas usually comes with an impossibly long and ridiculous list of things that I want and need to do. It takes some serious dedication for me not to buy into the frenzy of our Americanized Christmas.
My mentor’s words ring true this month more than ever: “If you can’t do it (it being whatever you want/need to do) and still be nice to your family at the end of the day, then you can’t do it.” This one little saying has proven true more times than I can count.
I believe that as a mom I’m the protector of my family’s time. If I’m the one running our family’s calendar, then it’s my privilege and responsibility to guard my family’s time. That means I have to know when to say enough is enough. Often I’m saying “yes” to way too many things.
If we want to avoid the Christmas crazy, we will “choose small and tend large.” (Mary DeMuth)
Choosing small means learning to say “yes” to some things and “no” to many more. It might mean saying no to one more party or one more shopping trip. It may mean saying no to sending out Christmas cards, doing Secret Santa with friends or going to the Christmas musical at church this year.
We intentionally choose less so that we can tend large. Tending large means that we can fully invest in the relationships that are important and in the moments that matter to us and our people. Christmas crazy comes to a screeching halt when I choose small and tend large.
#4: put away your measuring sticks
The fourth way to avoid the Christmas crazy has to do with our constant obsession with measuring.
The comparison game doesn’t take a break during the holidays. We admire and display each other’s beautiful Christmas cards, walk through one too many perfectly decorated homes, and pin creative recipes and gift giving ideas … all with a measuring stick in hand.
I think we can all agree that measuring makes us crazy.
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. We have been made on purpose with a purpose. Crazy for me happens when I start trying to live and be and do like you instead of like me.
This Christmas, I’m determined to stop measuring, stop keeping count, stop keeping score, and just be myself.
#5: live with, not for
The last way to avoid the Christmas crazy is practice living with Jesus instead of for Him.
Somehow we’ve gotten things all mixed up. We’ve replaced living in a relationship with Jesus for living for Him. In doing so, I think we’re missing Him completely.
This issue isn’t a new thing. Martha got confused too (Luke 10:38-42). She got upset in her mad-frenzy of serving Jesus, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His every word.
Martha was distracted by serving Jesus. Therefore, serving Jesus became what distracted her from knowing Jesus.
Being preoccupied with serving, performing and living FOR Christ more than enjoying and living WITH Him is a subtle threat to us all. Martha kept herself busy and preoccupied with the work of ministry and almost missed the One she desired to serve.
Mary chose the only thing needed. The ONLY thing. Resting (or abiding) in Christ is the sole responsibility of the Christian. Everything else flows from there.
Don’t let living for Jesus be the thing that makes you crazy this year.
……
So that’s it: the 5 ways to avoid the Christmas Crazy:
- Choose your focus.
- Slow down.
- Choose small; tend large.
- Put away the measuring sticks.
- Live with, not for.
And please remember …
Jill says
I am in love with No. 5. I will keep these tucked away. I also can’t wait to think through your mentor’s advice about if you can’t be nice to your family, don’t do it. That’s a great and practical gauge.
admin says
It really is. It sometimes makes me mad how practical it is and how quickly it tells the truth about what I can/can’t do. Love passing her wisdom on as often as I can!!