Enjoying Christmas

These are a few of the things we try to do to really enjoy the Christmas season ...

Remember what Christmas is about.  Bask in the wonder of it all.  I have been intentional about listening to and meditating on the words of some of my favorite Christmas songs this year.  I continue to be blown away by what the Lord did by sending His one-and-only to save a world in darkness so undeserving.

From Oh Holy Night:

"Long lay the world, in sin and error pining,

'til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

for yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn!"

Need I say more?!

Don't feel obligated.  Whether that be baking a bunch of cookies that you don't really have time to bake, going over-the-top decorating for other people to see, or god-forbid going to the mall ...  I bought most all of my Christmas gifts online this year, and I can say I got some great things for our family and it was wonderfully stress-free!  We put up a real tree and a few decorations we've collected over the years, but we don't go overboard.  If we love and enjoy it, that's all that really matters to us.  Only do those things you have time and money to do, that you really want to do.  If it is going to stress you out, don't do it!  Simple as that.

Brace yourselves, this is a big one.  If you don't do every Christmas Pinterest craft by December 24th, it doesn't mean you didn't enjoy the holiday. (I had to keep reminding myself of this!)

Rest.  Slow down and enjoy the things that make you love Christmas.  For us that's spending time with each other, our friends and families, and enjoying lots of Christmas music and movies to name a few.  Brandon and I have spent more than a few nights of December on the couch watching our favorite Christmas movies.  Side note, can you believe "The Santa Clause" movie is almost 20 years old?!  I have to say that made us feel a little old ...  

Simplify.  We don't go over-the-top with Christmas gifts we don't need.  We try to buy meaningful gifts for those we love, and we don't stretch our budget by doing so.  I really love the "want, need, wear, read" thing floating around the internet.  I think we'll be adopting this with our kiddos and adding "something to give" as well.  Thanks Jen Hatmaker for that great idea in this post I recently read and loved!  

We by no means do all of this perfectly, but this is how we aim to keep the true meaning paramount and really enjoy this wonderful, beautiful and fun time of year.

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!