"Stress Less For Christmas Success"

A few weeks ago, our family (yes, all of us, including all four teenagers!) rented the DVD Christmas with the Kranks. Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) Krank decide to skip Christmas since their only daughter is away. The Kranks put up no decorations, no tree, give no presents, and instead plan a sun-filled Caribbean cruise. When their daughter decides to come home, it causes major stress for the Kranks as they try to celebrate Christmas at the last minute.

As we sat there watching the movie, I realized we hadn’t put up our tree, the decorations were still somewhere in the attic, and the Christmas “list” wasn’t even a list yet. I was, even as I laughed at the Kranks, beginning to feel the first twinge of Christmas stress.

Even the first Christmas was not stress free. Mary and Joseph had to travel on a donkey just to register for the privilege of paying taxes. Those wise men were trying to figure out where the starlight was leading them. Would they make it on time? And the innkeeper was stressed. He was overbooked! Even the guy that owned the manger must have stressed at the thought of these strange and mysterious vagrants on his property.

And so we are not the first to experience Christmas stress. We won’t be the last. It just happens. Christmas stress. Every year. Have you caught it?

For those of us who have, let me suggest a way through it. You cannot completely avoid it, but you can manage Christmas stress for Christmas success. We are not destined to“krank” through Christmas. We can actually enjoy the days leading up to December 25th. So, as we enter this final phase of the Christmas season, try this:

1. Make a decision during these last few days before Christmas, to slow down.

We tend to get caught up in the frenzy of parties, school and church events, community activities, not to mention sending Christmas cards and buying gifts. In the midst of all that, make a decision to slow down. Say aloud to yourself, “I am slowing down. I am in control.” We experience frustration to the degree that we feel like we don’t have control. You may not be able to control the fact that you have seventeen items on your “to do Christmas list.” But you can control your approach to it. Take a deep breath and slooow down.

2. Keep a steady pace.

Slowing down doesn’t mean we “let up,” necessarily. As we say to ourselves, “Slow down,” we keep moving. It does help to work from a list. That gives you direction and relieves the stress of trying to remember the little items that multiply. As you finish one task or complete another activity, mark it off the list. That in itself relieves stress.

3. Just say, “No.”

You cannot do everything. It’s okay to say “no.” They may just have to miss you at that one party, but not as much as you probably think! And, unless it’s a close relative, most people will get over it easier than you think if you don’t sent them a Christmas card. You can always surprise them with a New Year’s card!

4. Remember what’s important.

Ask yourself, “If I don’t get this done, will it make any difference ten years from now?” At this moment, I can instantly pull up two memories from last Christmas: the first is our family opening presents around the fireplace. I don’t recall any particular gifts, just the moment, the family laughing and sharing. The other is our church’s Christmas Eve candle light service. The warmth I felt was not from that little candle; it was from the fellowship of people gathering around the one whose birthday we celebrate this year: Jesus Christ. When we remember the important things, we can relax a little more about all that other “stuff” that at the moment looms so important.

The Kranks made it through their stressful Christmas. The miracle was that in the midst of the stress, they gained a deeper insight into what really mattered. And so can you and me as we enter the story of Christmas and find that a place for the Christ child was provided, the baby was born, and the wise men did make it in time, although later than we’ve been lead to believe. And like everyone else in the story, even though getting there is often messy, we will make it, and arrive right where we belong, in peace at the feet of Jesus.