If you’re an intentional person, chances are you’ve already started planning the perfect Christmas activities for your family—the ones that will help your children or grandchildren fall in love with baby Jesus, make good choices, and someday reflect back on your efforts with deep appreciation. But if you’re a procrastinator, you have plans to pull off something amazing at the last minute, with those same ideal results in mind.
In my own experience, though, I’ve learned that even my most thoughtfully planned activities don’t always go as I imagined. I can spend hours preparing something special, only to have it unravel—whether it’s a child in tears, a husband caught up at work, or simply running out of time.
The Pressure to Create a Perfect Christmas
A few years ago, my friend Lizz shared her dreams for Christmas.
Before each Sunday evening meal leading up to Christmas, we will light the candle of the Advent Wreath and read Bible verses about the real Christmas story. My children will be excited to answer questions and soak up the wisdom from the Word. Softly drifting through our home will be Christmas music to create the perfect ambience as we dine by candlelight. I smile as all five of us savor our time together. It is perfect.
Then she shared…
As I thought through what an Advent Wreath would look like for my family, I realized there would likely be lots of squabbling over who got to blow out the candles and who sat where. Sure, they might surprise me and sit like angels, but there is a greater chance that the wreath would lead to more frustration than learning.
So why do an Advent Wreath? Well, honestly, because it seems like the thing that we should do.
It’s taken me a while to learn that “should” is a tricky word. Maybe you’ve noticed that as a mom, there is no end to the things we feel we should do for our children.
A key lesson in parenting is identifying the “shoulds” that work for your family.
Finding Traditions That Work for Your Family
Lizz continued: This year, we’ve decorated our home with a couple of trees, stockings, and a few simple decorations. The kids and I are writing in thankful journals to help us stay focused on our blessings during a season when the world is telling us to buy more. We also do a simple daily activity to count down to Christmas. This may seem like a lot to some and little to others, but it works for us this year, and that’s what matters. So what if other families’ Christmas activities look different? This is what we should be doing this year.
Giving Yourself Permission to Say No
Pinterest, local stores, and even this blog and the ABCJesusLovesMe website are full of wonderful ideas. It’s easy to get lost in all the possibilities! And while there are many meaningful traditions to help keep Jesus at the center of Christmas, you don’t have to do them all.
I want to give you permission to say “no” to most of the ideas you come across.
Keep it simple. Maybe create a bed for baby Jesus, teach about His character with the Christmas Tree Activity, or throw Jesus a simple birthday party. When choosing, consider your personality, your kids’ ages, and their unique personalities.
Let’s focus our energy and time on the true meaning of Christmas and on loving those around us. Now that sounds like something we should do!
Giveaway Winner: Dyslexia Friendly Grace Bible for Kids
Congrats to Natasha Egelston at negelston@______.com for winning the Grace Bible for Kids book! Natasha, please message me with your shipping address within 48 hours for the prize. Thank you to everyone who entered to win.
