Christmas time is here…and I’m determined not to miss it!  This time of year can be overwhelmingly busy and can even be strife filled for some.  Add to that the pressure that so many of us feel with a struggling economy and a housing market in the toilet and it all adds up to not so much peace on earth…but stress on earth!  I’m sure you can relate.

But I think that this particular Christmas season offers us a unique opportunity…a silver lining on a cloudy day so to speak.  Here is what I mean:  Maybe this is the year when the self-made stress that comes from doing too much, eating too much and buying too much can finally come to an end!  Maybe it is a good thing that we don’t have as much…maybe it is a good thing that we don’t have to try to content ourselves with the outward part of Christmas.  Maybe it is time to simplify all of it and finally connect with the real depth and heart of Christmas.

How do we do that?  Let me give you some thoughts, but I would love to hear how you are going to do that this year.  Will this be the year you finally draw a line in the sand and grab hold of what Christmas really is all about?  I want to know how you are going to do that.  Here are my thoughts:

1.  Keep the focus on Advent…on the coming of Jesus.  What more can be said?  All of our celebrations begin and end with the fact that Jesus came to this earth to become like us and ultimately to die for us.  That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown!

2. Invest more in people than any other year.  Invite a few people over, get to the events the church sponsors, ring a bell for the Salvation Army, and volunteer you and your family to serve the needy.  Get away from yourself!  Yeah!

3. Buy less this year.  That may go without saying, but how about actually doing that?

4. Make some gifts.  You would be amazed at what you can do and how much people love those things.  After all, who needs another knick knack to sit on the shelf anyway?

5. Go out and see all the cool free stuff there is to see.  Go look at houses that have been decorated, participate in some of the city events, go find some fun!  Enjoy the cool weather!

6. Give Thanks!  Nothing compares to realizing just how much we have in our family, our church family and our faith in our Lord.  Give thanks for all that you have, no matter how small and watch God change your perspective.  It is amazing.

You are all loved!  I’m looking forward to walking through this Christmas season with you!  Please comment on this blog and let me know what you are going to do to see the real deal this year.  Give me your ideas!