I saw this in an advertisement today and thought, “I hope women are getting ready.”
Here are a few things that can help make the holiday happy.
For instance:
Do a
personal Christmas analysis
WHAT WOULD YOUR “PERFECT” CHRISTMAS LOOK LIKE:
ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE ELEMENTS OF
YOUR PAST SEVERAL CHRISTMASES?
1.DISASTER
3.POOR 5.AVERAGE 7.O.K. 10. GREAT
MY ABILITY TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT GIFT FOR EVERYBODY WITH
VERY LITTLE STRESS WAS:
MY ADVANCE PLANNING FOR ENTERTAINING WAS:
MY ABILITY TO STAY CALM WAS:
OUR FAMILY TIMES WERE:
MY SPIRITUAL FOCUS WAS:
MY CHILDREN’S APPRECIATION FOR THE TIME I SPENT, AND THE
GIFTS THEY RECEIVED FROM US AND OTHERS WAS:
PAST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS COULD
GENERALLY BE RATED AS:
- Get a 3x5 card and write on it your priorities for making this the best Christmas ever, make a plan and stick to it
- Get a binder and put your list into it along with any gift ideas, card list, anything that has to do with Christmas – if it’s written down you’ll be less likely to forget BUT don’t include your children’s gift ideas – hide those! But still write down so you know you’re not over budget and all the kids are equally covered
- Make a budget and stick to it
- If you bake extra start accumulating flour/sugar, etc. Many baked goods can be made ahead and frozen – Google how!
- My friend Maria starts doubling up her dinners and freezing the second half so she has meals for December when she is too busy to cook
- Even if you don’t usually get the Sunday paper buy it for the next two months – you’ll find deals that will cover the cost of the paper and possibly give you gift ideas – if you clip coupons it pays for the cost of the paper
- To keep reminding you of “The Reason for the Season” find a Christmas devotional and focus on THE Gift! Here’s one I’ve had quite a while:
- Consider shopping at small businesses OR having your friends make things on your list (or make them yourself - I've been reading a book on China's treatment of it's citizen's and I want NOTHING to do with supporting such an evil regime by buying products from China
Christmas Meditations
ON
JESUS BIRTH
1. Announcement Luke 1:26-37
2. Mary’s response Luke 1:38-55
3. Joseph’s response Matthew 1:18-25
4. Shepherds told and their response Luke 2:8-20
5. Jesus presented in the temple Luke 2:21-38
6. Visit of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12
7. Flight to Egypt Matthew 2:13-15
ON
WHAT JESUS GAVE UP TO BE BORN:
1. His right to be served. Philippians 2:6-8
2. The comforts of heaven. (He knew hunger, pain,
weariness, and all human frailties he didn’t know in heaven)
3. The power he had in heaven. (Now restricted by
his human body every miracle he did was through the Father’s power, he’d given
his own up.)
4. His autonomy. (In heaven he was God, He went
from independence to total dependence)
5. His riches (from owning “the cattle on a
thousand hills” to the child of a poor carpenter.)
ON PEACE
1.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts
in you. Is.26: 3
2. Come to me, all you who are weary &
burdened, & I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you &learn from me,
for I am gentle & humble in heart, & you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy & my burden is light. Mt.11: 28-30
3. For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah
9:6
4. The Lord is my strength & shield; my heart
trusts in him, & I am helped. My heart leaps for joy & I will give
thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
5. I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he
promises peace to his people, his saints- but let them not return to folly
Psalm 85:8
6. Great peace have they who love your law, & nothing can make them stumble. Psalm
119:165
7. Turn from evil & do good; seek peace &
pursue it. Psalm 34:14
8. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the
effect of righteousness will be quietness & confidence forever. Is. 32:17
9. The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with
you, & I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
10. The LORD bless you & keep you; the LORD
make his face shine upon you & be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face
toward you & give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
11. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled &
do not be afraid. John 14:27
WHEN ANXIOUS
1 Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
2...Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will
deliver you, & you will honor me. Psalm 50:15
3. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with
me; fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1
4. Cast your cares on the LORD & he will
sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22
5. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who
daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19
6. In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7
7. Trust in the LORD with all your heart &
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him & he will
make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6
8.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms &
carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah
40:11
9. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of
your right hand & says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
10.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
If you have any ideas let me know!
