3 Tips for a Peaceful Christmas

Christmas is coming, friends. Ah, the food, the turkey, the pumpkin pie, the beets! Okay, not the beets so much, but you get the idea. Someone said there’s going to be a toy shortage this year. “Hurry and stock up!” I told him we had a Christmas toy shortage every single year when I was a kid. If I got one toy, I was ecstatic. Toys were sparse, but family time was abundant.

I remember the telling of unfunny jokes, most of which I did not get, but I laughed. “What do you call Santa Claus when his clothes are folded?” I didn’t know. “Kris Wrinkle.” I’d never heard of the guy, but I laughed anyway.

Sometimes I’d get a few batteries for Christmas. They came with a note, “Toys not included.” (Just kidding.)
Last year, for the first year ever, we wondered what to buy 16 grandkids. If we got them each a toy and some Lego, we’d be broke. So, Ramona and I recorded for them some of their favourite stories. I provided the silliness. Ramona provided the music on her flute. I must say, the girl is good. Together—and I say this humbly—we rocked. The grandkids can listen to these stories for decades to come.

So here’s my idea. Let’s declare this year—and every year—a toy shortage Christmas. One in which we forget the stuff a little more and celebrate our Saviour and the peace on earth He came to bring.

Here are three things that can add to that peace this Christmas.

1. Limit Gift Giving. A guy I know had to build a fence one year to keep all the gifts under the tree. Seriously. A fence! He said, “The grandparents just kept bringing more.” I love presents. But most of us give far more gifts to the kids than the wise men gave to Jesus. How about getting them something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. If it’s one of my books, you get bonus points.

2. Shorten your To-Do list. We don’t have the energy we used to have now that we’ve turned fifty…or so. Planning for Christmas, we ask, “Will this leave us frazzled and frantic or will it add to the peace of the season?” “Will it create meaningful memories?” Work on doing a few things well and not getting all worked up about the rest.

3. Reach out to others. This may be easier than you think. One man loved hanging lights above his garage. As he did so, a neighbour stopped by and smiled up at the lights. Through tears, he said, “I lost my wife this year. It’s so hard, but it’s going to be alright.” Then he read the truth those lights spelled out. “Immanuel, God with us.”

Both men were lonely. During Christmas dinner together, they celebrated the greatest message to hit our planet: Immanuel. God with us. It’s going to be alright.