LET'S DE-STRESS MINI

"Reduce stress at Christmas; 

Plan less commercial expenses,

and more Christ-like experiences."

"Devoted to relieving stress using principles based on God's Word."

CHRISTMAS 2009

"Glory to God

in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill

toward men!"


Luke 2:14 KJV

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.

~ John 10:10 ~

If we've done any Christmas shopping this year, we can readily agree that things are indeed expensive. Even the so-called sale items are creating havoc on our tight budgets.

Many of us have made major cut-backs on gift-giving and have had to make do with what we can afford or possibly create.

Changes to long-held holiday traditions--in whatever form or fashion--creates unbelievable stress. No doubt, holiday shopping can stress even the best of us. And if our priorities aren't aligned properly, we suffer needless stress.

Sure, gift-giving has been a huge tradition throughout Christmases past and present, but the true essence of Christmas centers on JESUS.

When born as a baby on that first Christmas, Jesus brought abundant life to us all . . . including peace that surpasses all understanding.

One can buy, buy, buy with all the money in America, but one cannot buy peace. True peace cannot be bought or borrowed. TRUE PEACE CAN ONLY COME FROM THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

God has given us all the greatest gift of all. . .Jesus. Our abundance for all things at Christmastime and any time thereafter rest securely in the arms of the Prince of Peace.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (12)

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Wondering about tomorrow.

Gee whiz! It’s Christmas Eve!
This time tomorrow
Christmas Day will be here.

What will tomorrow be like?
Will it be worth all the hustle and bustle,
and time and expense
we’ve sacrificed over the past few months?

After the wrappings have been stripped from the gifts,
and strewn madly in the middle of the floor,
will the magic of Christmas still linger on?

After the turkey and the trimmings,
the vegetables and salads and desserts are all gone,
will the twinkle still sparkle in our eyes?

IF
we arrange our lives
to allow Jesus the Christ-child to enter in,
we can have Christmas in our homes and our hearts,
all through the year.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (10)

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Family feuds.

At this special time of year,
when bells are ringing and children singing,
it’s easy to believe that families are gathered together
and everyone is happy and bright . . .

‘Tis the season
when miracles are all around us,
yet it’s also the time when confusion arises.

Who can say for sure
what causes siblings to be selfish—
Or spouses to be inconsiderate—
Or parents to be cantankerous—
Or children to be rowdy?

Since we don’t have all the answers,
Let’s take some advice from the Good Book
where it says, "Let a man examine himself…"

In plain and simple terms,
we need to check ourselves.
It’s easy to see the faults of others, but what about our own?

This Christmas,
let’s strive to make sure that we are not
causing confusion.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (9)

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
A thin line between love and hate.

Isn’t it funny
how opposites attract each other?

Lots of the things we hold near and dear
about Christmastime
adds burdens along with the bliss.

We love to see
a beautifully decorated tree,
but we hate doing the actual decorating.

We love entertaining family and friends,
but we hate cooking and cleaning
and making ready for their arrival.

We love eating a delicious Christmas Day dinner,
but we hate dealing with the weight gain.

Isn't there a way for us to be
in love with the gifts of the season,
And not have to deal with dislike and disdain?

Absolutely!

We can lavish our love on the Christ Child—
The One Who’s good and perfect—
The Epitome of joy and peace—
And guaranteed to be "nothing but Love."

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (6)

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Impossible people.

No doubt about it, we all know them.

We work with them--
We mingle with them--
We even live with them.

Loving the unlovable presents a huge challenge.
But even less-than-desirable people
learn from precept and example.

Experts say that people
who are impossible to be around
harbor deep-seated issues.

However accurate that may be,
we should aspire to keep our manners in tact.

We must be the example
that impossible people need to see.

While we’re deciding what all to showcase
during the holiday season,
let’s not forget to show some extra kindness.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (5)

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Facing the truth.

All truths are not created equal--
especially at Christmas.

Jolly red-and-white lies
can quickly influence our lives,
and determine how we think and act and feel.

We’re quick to identify
the countless lies that others tell.
But how often do we overlook
those right in front of our face?

Being honest with ourselves,
about things little or large,
is one of the most precious gifts
we could ever give ourselves.

Whatever we do or do not have—
Whatever we can or cannot afford—
Wherever we will or will not go—
So be it . . . that’s life.

Let’s tell ourselves the truth,
accept it,
Then live, laugh, and love.

In the end, Christmas will still be Christmas.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (4)

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Not enough hours in the day.

First one to hop out of bed in the morning
and the last one to lie down at night.
Up at dawn and busy, busy, busy, all day.
Everyday.

Sound familiar?

No matter how much cooking,
cleaning, laundry, repairs,
shopping and quick errands we complete,
there’s always a million more to do.

Is it possible for us to stop . . .
and to start all over again?

Would we consider pushing our agenda aside,
and spending some quality time
with the One Who IS Christmas--
And will be throughout eternity?

Let’s make the hours
mean something
this year.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS (3)

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
Too big for our "britches."

Who would have imagined?
All the weight gain
from this time last year
‘til now.

Friends and families and colleagues
are hosting festive holiday parties.
And we’re obligated to go.

Low and behold, we have too much meat
to squeeze into the front—the back—and the sides
of those old-faithful holiday frocks.

Let’s not loose our focus.
It is Christmas, remember?
This is not about us . . . or our weight.

Sure, we’d like to "dazzle" those inquisitive eyes,
and to be the envy of the classy crowd.
But if we’ve carried X-plus pounds around
prior to the holiday season,
then why get stressed about it now?

Eat. Drink. And be merry!

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS

ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Our true stress seems to be . . .
No "honey" for the holidays.

Most folk young and old will agree
that thick and rich, golden honey
is surely tasty and sweet.

But during the Christmas holidays
some want the kind of "honey"
that walks and talks
and whispers sweet stuff in their ears.

Of course Christmas cuddling feels good,
but so does self-acceptance.

We must learn to enjoy our own company
and to sincerely appreciate ourselves.

To those who yearn
For a sweet Christmas companion,
Learn to love yourself!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Peace I leave with you . . .

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DE-STRESS

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Our true stress seems to be . . .

A wish list and no money.

OOPS! There it is--

The old "M" word.

Money . . . money . . . money.

Everyone needs more money.

Now that it's Christmastime

and we're making our lists,

what do we do when we don't have

enough money for all the things we want?

How can we keep from stressing out,

when there's not enough money coming in?

De-stress yourself.

Here's a tried-and-true solution . . .

L-O-V-E.

Possessions can never compare with real love.

Love that comes from the heart reaches the heart.

We were created from Love to give and receive love.

Put LOVE on your Christmas wish list!

Everyone needs Love.

Peace I leave with you . . .

MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT

"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

~ John 1:5 ~

Here, there, and everywhere, we're seeing festive Christmas decorations. Beautiful blinking lights and serene solid ones usher in that special feeling of Christmas.

Of the hundreds of decorations displayed throughout the Yuletide season, bright and shinning lights seem to top the list. There's an undeniable magic in each twinkle.

While the choice to use clear or multi-colored lights may not directly affect an outward appearance, for most enthusiast, this decision requires a great deal of concentration. People decide according to their personal desires.

The competence for choosing fascinating holiday lights is quite similar to that of choosing less holiday stress. We light up Christmas in our lives by the choices we make. And we all have a choice to stress or not to stress.

When we resolve to not allow the secular concerns of the season to clog our minds with a slew of stresses, we are free to embrace the true joys of Christmas.

It matters not who or what we're facing, the truth is that we create our own beauty and brightness by how we act--or react--with the issues of life. As the world turns with its typical Christmas craze, it's our prerogative to de-stress.

Peace I leave with you . . .