Christmas will arrive sooner than we realize. Have you ever found yourself in that place where you contemplate, “Can we please skip Christmas this year?” The mere thought of it can be pretty overwhelming. I vividly recall a specific year when I wished to fast forward through December.
Where Was Jesus?
While organizing my extensive Christmas to-do list, gifts to buy, and people to see, I pondered how to squeeze more into my packed schedule. When I reached the 99th item, I realized that only one entry on the entire list connected to Jesus, prompting me to question the essence of my Christmas preparations.
While the list boasted tasks that might have pleased God, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss in how I approached Christmas.
Don’t you want Christmas to be different this year? After all, we don’t want to be asking, “Can we please skip Christmas?” #Christmas #simplify Share on XIt made me reflect on the importance of keeping things simple.
A simple Christmas allows for much more, like making Jesus the reason for the season and connecting with God’s people. #relationships #Jesus #christmas Share on XThe Year That Changed Everything
Let me share the transformative year when I grasped how the season could be better.
Before Christmas, I had delved into a remarkable book titled The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst.
Though Lysa’s book isn’t centered around Christmas, it profoundly influenced my life during that festive season and beyond. It’s one of those books that left an indelible mark on my Christmas and has guided me through the years.
Before reading the book, I was inclined to say “yes” to every request, even at the expense of my well-being. However, that particular Christmas, I was determined to do things differently. Applying the book’s principles to the holiday season became an experiment and a challenge. I formulated a new set of Christmas Rules.
A New Set of Rules for Christmas
- Permit yourself to disappoint others.
- Say “no” more often than “yes.”
- Strive for simplicity.
- Keep Jesus at the forefront of your heart, mind, and soul.
The Internal Struggle of People Pleasing
While these rules may seem straightforward to some, I sense that many can relate to the internal struggle of trying to please others, often going beyond what is healthy. Some might create unrealistic to-do lists, aiming for excellence in every task.
Excellence is good, but not when it tips over into perfectionism. #perfectionism Share on XMoreover, there’s a tendency to appoint ourselves as the responsible party for ensuring everyone loves the holidays. Yet, year after year, we discover that pleasing everyone is an impossible feat!
Like me, you might have experienced how these factors, combined with holiday stress, can turn the month into a chaotic, overwhelming, and unenjoyable period for everyone, including yourself.
Don’t Skip Christmas, Make Some Changes
In this particular year, with a renewed mindset, I discovered a few valuable insights:
- Costco has some excellent ready-made food.
- Stick-on bows, or even none at all, are perfectly fine.
- Spending Christmas Day in pajamas is an incredible experience.
- Serving a formal dinner in slippers is surprisingly comfortable.
- China is beautiful but not essential.
- Skip the Garland on the stairs.
- Simplify your decorations.
- Two Christmas to-do lists are necessary: one list of the must-do’s and another for tasks that bring joy, if time allows.
- Lowering expectations doesn’t diminish the celebration.
- Remove the “should do” items on the list.
Don’t get me wrong; I love engaging in extras and traditions. However, it’s time to reconsider our approach when these activities start feeling like chores.
Disappointing Others
So, did I disappoint others that year? Probably, but here’s the key—I allowed myself to dissatisfy others.
Plus, if people are disappointed with your “no,” a “yes” will likely not meet their approval either. Share on XI can affirm that the people in my immediate circle, those whom God entrusted to me and who mattered the most, were pleased with the new me. They encountered a person with a holiday spirit that fostered peace, joy, and unhurried love.
This holiday season, I encourage you to join me in not skipping Christmas but instead embracing all God intended it to be. #Chrsitmas #Jesus Share on XA Christmas That Exceeds Your Expectations
This Christmas might just exceed all your expectations! Give yourself permission to disappoint others, say “no” more often to things that burden you, keep things simple, and, most importantly, strive to keep Jesus as the focus of your heart and mind.
I’d love to hear any tips you have for keeping Advent in your soul, Jesus on your mind, and Christmas simple. Let’s not skip Christmas; let’s make it meaningful.
Intentional Christmas Love
Great post Maree & I too enjoyed Lysa’s book 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
Blessings to you too. Maree
Learning to say “No!” is one of the toughest lessons to learn. Thank you for the suggestions. Merry Christmas, Maree!
Laurie – Yes, saying “no” is difficult. I am still learning. Merry Christmas to you! Maree
Beautiful, Maree Dee. I’m giving myself permission to say no, experience joy in the little things and stopping long enough to take it all in. I think I’ll do well to take some notes from your book. 🙂
Blessings to you, as you slow down this Christmas.
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Marva, Thank you for stopping by. Wonderful to hear you are slowing down to experience joy. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Maree
I decided to simplify this year, too. I didn’t do Christmas cards because of the time it consumes and the cost. The people that are the most important in my life I will see in person and I can send out a blanket Christmas blessing on social media. In years past I have made eight different types of cookies to bring to celebrations. This year I’m only making two and then buying an assortment. I know that will disappoint a few people. The wrapping of presents aren’t as elaborate. The menu isn’t as extravagant. I’m finding I have more times to rest and be still. It’s a pleasure!
Melissa, I am impressed. As I try to do a little baking this Saturday, I am going to take your lead. I agree, It is more fun when we do less and leaves so much more time for what is important.
Sweet friend! This is an amazing post and so spot-on! My little family and I started a minimizing journey a few years ago that has totally transformed our lives. It has absolutely impacted our Christmases in the most peaceful of ways. We have let go of about 90% of our stuff, and moved into a much smaller home, with a lot less space, and there is no room for unnecessaries. This is so wonderful…it has liberated our lives of so much stress, chaos, and encumbrances! We have minimized our schedules, too, and, again, this has impacted our Christmas in a most positive way. Jesus didn’t live His life encumbered, and neither should we. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly, and that is polar opposite what this materialistic, consumerism-driven world around us dictates and demands. If we follow Him and the simple life He lived while on earth, we will remain free from the bondage of others and what they think we should and shouldn’t do. God bless you for proclaiming His truth here and for the encouragement you are to me. I am so sorry you are going through so much, and I pray the peace that passes all understanding will fill your heart always.
Cheryl, Thank you for sharing a little bit about your minimizing journey. It sounds fabulous. I want to do some minimizing in 2018. You are so right with what you said, “Jesus didn’t live his life encumbered, and neither should we.” What a great motto to carry in my thought. I am so glad you stopped by and left a comment. Blessings to you, Maree
The thing I’m having such trouble with this year is the Christmas gift list. I just can’t get it together to decide what to buy everyone. If we could cut out that part of Christmas, I would love everything about the season. 🙂 Lysa’s book does sound good for any time of the year, but especially the month of December. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa, Gift giving is not my thing. It is not my love language, so I find it challenging. I want the gift to be spectacular and unique but always feel I come up short. This year was a hard year for us, so I went simple. I gave gift cards to almost all of my nephews and nieces. For those, I did buy for I know I didn’t get enough, but you know what I am okay with it for a change. I find myself saying, “you know what it is good enough” and I believe it. I didn’t wrap with bows and ran out of tags. So not like me, but again I was okay with it. I am finding I can enjoy the season more letting things go. Good luck getting your Christmas gift list done.
Love this post, Maree. This will be a hard Christmas, due to mentally ill family members. I know you can relate. Yes, I’ve felt like I want to skip out on some of it. But your list will help me stay in the game. Thank you for the encouragement, and Merry Christmas to you!
Sarah, Yes, I can relate to the struggles of holidays when a loved one has a mental illness. I am so glad my list will help you. I know I keep going back to it myself. Merry Christmas to you, Maree
Wow. So, so good, Maree. — I’ve been doing a more simplified Christmas the last few years, and it is freeing, but at the same time, I’m the one who does take responsibility for everyone in the house having a good holiday. Thanks for the challenge to be free of that, friend. — I liked The Best Yes, too. Good book. — Hope you’re finding moments of rest this holiday season. ((hug))
Brenda – Simple is pretty good, isn’t it? I am finding the more I simplify, the more I like it. The hard part is letting go of thinking I am responsible for everyone joy during the holidays. Hugs back at you and a Merry Christmas to you. Maree
The idea of two lists is brilliant! Merry Christmas!
Debbie, Thank you, the two lists work well for me. I use the idea all of the time. Merry Christmas to you, Maree
Maree, another wonderful post! I can relate. I have had to be extra intentional this year, about slowing down and embracing the season. I love how you said, “lowering our expectations doesn’t diminish the celebration.” So true! And yet we so often believe the lie, that it does.
Also, I love Lysa’s books too. Not the Best Yes, but the one that preceded that, How to Say Yes to God, (I think that’s what it’s called), dramatically changed my life! I mean, DRAMATICALLY!
Isn’t it refreshing to know that we are not alone?
Blessings to you during this season! <3
Rachel – Yes, it is so refreshing to know we are not alone. Thank you for stopping by. I will have to look for the book you mentioned. Merry Christmas to you! Maree
Hi Maree! You and I are on the same page today. I too am purposing to simplify Christmas and let go of all those “shoulds” and “have-to’s.” There is such freedom in focusing on what truly matters and letting the rest go. And a wholehearted yes to Christmas day in pajamas – I wouldn’t have it any other way!! Blessings to you and so glad to visit from #tellhisstory.
Tiffany, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. It is so nice to find people on the same page. I have to say keeping Christmas simple is not that easy. I decided no Christmas cards this year, but now I am considering Happy New Year cards. Good luck in keeping it simple and focusing on what truly matters.