Holiday Coping Strategies

‘Tis the week before Christmas and …This week we challenge you to:

Take 1 minute to:
• Choose one word to describe what you want to experience this holiday season. Put it on a sticky note on your mirror.
• Share a Mistletoe Moment - Physical affection increases our body’s levels of stress-reducing hormones. So, cuddle, touch hands, give hugs! They help us avoid overreacting.

Take 5 minutes to:
• Figure out what brings you joy and then commit to doing it!
• Get outside. Gaze at the incredible beauty of God’s creation.

Take 10 minutes to:
• Recall 3 holiday traditions you love most. Put them on your calendar…if necessary, let go of the rest. (We stress when we don’t say what we really want.)
• Read a poem, a Christmas story, The Christmas Story (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20)

Take 15 minutes to:
• Forget Multitasking...Focus on the task at hand.
• Give yourself permission to live in the moment –what does it feel, smell, sound, taste like? Be fully engaged in each experience.
• Create and listen to a holiday playlist.

A Blessed Merry Christmas from Ted and Jane Hutchinson

* Adapted from Women’s Day, article by Melody Warnick - 12/1/09

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Before This Fleeting Season

Lord, Before This Fleeting Season...

Lord, before this fleeting season is upon us,

Let me remember to walk slowly.

Lord, bless my heart with love and with quiet.

Give me a leaning to hear carols.

Grace our family with contentment, and the peace

that comes only from you.

Lord, help us to do less this busy season; go less;

Stay closer to home; kneel more.

May our hearts be your heart.

May we simply, peacefully, celebrate you Lord, Lord.

M.Jindra/L.Larsen

    Wouldn’t you know it . . . “This Fleeting Season” is already upon us! I’ll admit that lately I’ve had more difficulty than usual—finding myself defenseless in the fog of living at speed, distracted by unimportant urgencies, dallying where diligence was required.
    Advent. And I wonder if I have the time or energy to celebrate His coming?
    This weekend I took time to look at several areas of my life. On a scale of 1—10, I wondered, how am I doing managing my time, my rest, my health, my relationships...my time alone with God?
    I asked myself, what changes can I make this Advent season to welcome him in to my life, into my community.
    OK, now it’s your turn: Even if you have all your Christmas shopping done—ok, maybe that’s a stretch—but what does your life look like this fleeting season:
    • In Reflection & Re-Creation
    • In Rest
    • In Relationships

What three things could you do in the next three weeks to make this a different advent season?
    1.
    2.
    3.

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