Can the words “Rest” and “Christmas” even go together?

Yes They can! Choose rest this Christmas, and cultivate more JOY.

There is no need for me to describe what many of us experience in the Christmas season – a lot of busyness, to-do lists, money spent, late nights, rushing. And on Boxing Day – the realisation that it’s all over and we failed to stop and savour the moment!

Pause and reflect this Christmas

Instead of rushing headlong into December this year, let’s pause and ask ourselves some questions:

• What is the true meaning of Christmas?
• How do I want to spend my Christmas to meaningfully celebrate Christ’s birth?
• What brings me the most peace and joy in the Christmas season?
• What causes the most stress?

And now take time to ask each of your family members the same things and also:

• What is the most important and enjoyable part of the Christmas season for you?
• Which of our family traditions are your favourite?
• Is there anything you would rather not do this Christmas?

A few years ago, I realised the stress I was placing on myself at Christmas time, when every Christmas Day I felt stressed and frantic, and realised I really had not been “in the moment” at all. I spoke to my family at dinner and asked them what the most important parts of the Christmas season were for them.

I was surprised by the simplicity.

One of my sons said it was having Christmas music playing in the house. Another said it was our advent calendar with pockets that I filled with home baked treats to eat each day for the count down. Another said it was playing cricket on the lawn as a family on Christmas Day. Another said it was baking Christmas goodies together. My husband said it was the roast lamb and his favourite desserts on Christmas Day.

I realised all the many things that we had been doing that just weren’t important to them. I brought it all before The Lord and asked Him to help me to see which things were unnecessary and struck them off my Christmas list. Some of the things I had been doing were evidently more about me feeling like I “should” and burning myself out doing them. And so I whittled down Christmas. For me, Christmas is more about enjoyable family time, and focusing on the real message – the gift of Christ. It’s about laughter, togetherness, relaxation. And so I made sure my calendar reflected this. It’s summer in Australia at Christmas time, and we have made more early morning beach trips to have a swim together before the day starts, more evenings sitting on the verandah together or swimming in the pool. Longer walks, more board games. More time in The Word, and enjoying meditating on the meaning of Christmas together. Simple meals of cold meats and salads with friends. Simple decorations. More space for each other and making memories.

For some, the financial burden of Christmas destroys their joy. Do it differently this year. Give less materially and give more in service. Back rubs, car washes, baby sitting time for friends and family. You don’t need to keep doing what you’ve always done. If this is an area you are struggling in, I highly recommend listening to the following podcast:

Rest for the Weary

Our church has recently done a sermon series on Rest which was so well timed before the Christmas season. From this series I came to understand how we experience weariness when we

• try to CONTROL everything and everyone around us
• Try to do everything PERFECTLY
• Try to do EVERYTHING

and we forget that we are human, limited, not in control, fragile and weak. And this is ok!

God knows this. He created us.

He is the only ONE who has all authority. All power. Is perfect. And can do all things. And we are not.

God doesn’t expect us to do it all. He expects us to be FAITHFUL with what He has given us.

We do not have unlimited time, unlimited resources, unlimited physical, mental or emotional capacity, but we can turn to the One who does.

We are called to be faithful with what we have been given. Let’s be faithful with our:

• time
• people
• resources

and let go of the unrealistic expectations we have of ourselves. Let’s rejoice in the freedom He gives us to not have it altogether, perfectly done, all controlled, all looking beautifully social-media-worthy. Let’s say goodbye to the stressed, hurried, irritable version of ourselves and give way to the relaxed, peaceful, joyful version. The version you want your children to remember. The version that reflects what Christmas is about. The wondrous birth of our Lord and Saviour.

Let’s give glory to God, from a place of rest.