Christmas time always seems to be so stressful and it shouldn’t be. It is a time to reflect on God’s gift of love. If this time of year makes us feel full of stress and anxiety, then were doing something wrong. Am I alone here?

We need to be preparing our hearts more than our homes for celebrating the birth of Christ. We need to make time for enjoying the gifts and the people that God has blessed us with. We need to say “no” to things that are separating us from the true meaning of the season and “yes” to the things that have meaning. I am as guilty of overdoing it as the next person, but I’m really trying to give up some if the less important things to enjoy the simple things. I am much more productive and feel less anxious if I stop for an hour in the middle of my day and have lunch with a friend, or watch a silly Christmas movie with my youngest.

In the end, Christmas comes and that “to do list” that never was completely done, will not matter, but the joy that you didn’t make time to experience , will be lost…

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28