It is officially the week of Thanksgiving 2018! It feels hard to believe. I don't know about you but I'm still wondering where spring went. With Thanksgiving being this week, Christmas season is almost officially here. The most wonderful (busy) time of the year. Yes, busy. Because whether we like to admit it or not, these holidays can really seem to fly by and get us running here and there and everywhere. My November and December rarely slow down and sometimes I can just want time to stop running at the speed of light so I have time to actually enjoy my holidays. You too? Well, good you've come to the right place. You might not be able to slow down time, but here are just a few suggestions I have for how you can step into time this season and enjoy every moment as Christmas and New Year's draws nearer. 1) Reflect on what it's all about. Why are we celebrating Thanksgiving? Why do we celebrate Christmas? Reflect on what you have to be grateful for and thank God for it. Reflect on the love God sent down to us on Christmas and how you can show that love to others during this bustling season. 2) Journal. It doesn't have to be long, elaborate entries. Even just a short few sentences jotting down what you're thankful for or what you're loving about this season so far. Just something to slow you down for a few minutes. 3) Do something you've never done before. What's something that's a part of this season you've never done before? Maybe go through a nighttime corn maze or take a sleigh ride in the snow. Just make it something unique and fun that you've never done before! 4) Participate in a family tradition or create a new one. My family and I have special Christmas traditions that we do every year. What's your tradition? Keep up with it this year, even if you're busier than usual. If you don't have one, start a new one! 5) Give back to others. How can you show God's love to people during this busy season? Maybe it's something as simple as smiling at a store clerk who has had a long day with lots of crowds. Maybe it's putting together an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox. Maybe it's going to the dollar store and putting together a Christmas gift bag for the homeless people on your street corner. Maybe it's bringing canned goods to a local food bank. Whatever it is, give of your time this season to love others and serve Jesus. 6) Send Christmas cards. This seems to be a lost art anymore and it makes me sad. Heat up some hot cocoa, sit in front of the TV while watching your favorite family Christmas movie, and fill out some cards. You don't have to write one for everyone you know. Even just one or two is a great start. But fill out the cards and drop them in the mail to surprise someone you care about. 7) Spend extra time with Jesus. Sometimes in the midst of all the chaos and parties and presents and shopping, we can become frustrated by all the hustle. Lessen your hustle by stepping into extra alone time with Jesus. Read your Bible for an extra few minutes than usual, pray in the car instead of listening to music, whatever you need to do to put Him first. 8) Spend time with family. Family is so important, y'all, especially this time of year. Don't get so caught up in the rush that you forget to spend time with family, even if it's something as simple as decorating a gingerbread house or drinking hot cocoa around the TV. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, friends, and a wonderful official start to the Christmas season. Let me know some ways you slow down during the holidays by commenting below!
Grace F.
11/20/2018 07:56:34 am
love love LOVE this, Bella!!! I agree, these holidays always go by too fast. I love all the ideas you gave, especially the ones about journaling and Christmas cards and trying something new. :) I love making Christmas cards and I can’t wait to be able to do those for people in my life!! I’d also encourage everyone to write Thanksgiving thank-you notes — our church is doing that this year and our pastor decided to keep the card basket out (we put them in a basket for someone to distribute) until January! It’s honestly been a blast so far and everyone is really enjoying the multitudes of cards being written and distributed. I’ve been able to write several people who have really made a difference in my life, and that has been fun. Comments are closed.
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