Have you ever woken up the day after Christmas and thought, "I wish I had . . . ."?
These tips will help you prepare yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically so that you can enjoy your time with family and friends on Christmas Day.
Three tips to help you enjoy Christmas Day:
1. Get extra sleep
Everything is different when you are rested.
Do you need to go to bed earlier on Christmas Eve?
Do you need to sleep in an hour or two on Christmas Day?
Benefits you may receive: clarity of mind, not easily annoyed, calmer, ability to see
beyond yourself, ability to invest in others.
2. Focus on Immanuel - “the with us God”
“‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His
name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
Picture in your mind a helpless, newborn, baby boy.
The following is an excerpt from a Max Lucado devotional:
“Do you know who you hold, Mary? You secure the author of grace. He who is ageless is
now moments old. He who strides upon the stars now has legs too weak to walk. The
hands that held the oceans are now an infant’s fist. To him who has never asked a question,
you will teach the name of the wind. The source of language will learn words from you. He
who has never stumbled, you will carry. He who has never hungered, you will feed. The King
of creation is in your arms.”
Read the Christmas story found in Matthew 1:18-25 and/or Luke 2:1-21.
3. Pause long enough to be fully present
a. Stay off your phone
Will anyone join me in staying off your phone while you are celebrating Christmas with
your family and friends?
You can use your phone to take photos/video, but please do not sit mindlessly
checking Facebook/Instagram.
b. Engage in conversation
Ask about what’s going on in the lives of those you are with.
Actively listen and be curious beyond surface level conversation.
c. Be still and take it all in
Take time to marvel at the excitement in a child’s eyes and face (if you are with children).
What do you see?
What do you hear?
What do you smell?
What do you taste?
What fun activities are you doing?
May the Christmas gifts of hope, peace, love and joy be yours in abundance on Christmas
Day and every day!
Join the Finding Me Facebook group for information and resources to help you
grow emotionally, spiritually and physically and understand who God' created you to be.