Lindi here! Hello—and hello Christmas! Wow-it’s almost here-the most wonderful time of the year. Before I get into my topic for today, I want to congratulate kda61! You have won the copy of A Noble Masquerade! My email is authorlindip at gmail dot com. Please email me your snail mail address and I will have that mailed to you. Thank you!!
Confession time: I used to be a Grinch. But I wasn’t stealing other peoples joy, I was only stealing my own. Once Thanksgiving was here I would get in a funk–like this black cloud would hover and follow until December 26th–what was really happening is that I was creating my own black cloud–it was a cloud filled with stress-hurrying–shopping–and all the things Christmas is NOT about. Yes, that was me.
One year, my husband and I didn’t put up a tree–I thought that would relieve some of my stress. You know, not having to worry about getting it decorated–dragging down all the boxes–a whole afternoon, wasted if you will, by decorating the tree. What happened was this—not having a tree added a level of depression to my already awkward, unChristmas situation.
A few years ago I realized I was my own Christmas problem. I was the one causing all my stress. I had already roped my husband into doing the shopping with me, but instead of hitting the malls, we decided to go to a small mountain town about 45 minutes north of where we live. Blue Ridge, Georgia has many amazing quaint shops–antique shops as well as stores that sell new and shiny things. We spend the day there, have lunch, shop and end the day at the coffee shop–with a great coffee and 1 huge cookie split down the middle. It turned the dread of shopping into a fun day. We don’t always find everything we need, but we do manage to get most of the shopping done. And the gifts are unique–not what one would find everywhere. We found this moose nativity set for my mom. She loves it!
We still have a trip or two to a couple of big box stores, but we go late at night, when they aren’t as crowded. So every year now, we look forward to that 1st or 2nd Saturday in December when we go shopping.
I also have a tradition of making white chocolate covered pretzels for the gals at work and the gals at Bible study. Each year I try to find a special, fun way to package them. This year I bought blue, white and silver muffin cups and pretty ribbon and tissue paper. They will be pretty! Making the pretzels is easy and fun since I’m not the best baker in the world! It takes the stress off of “What do I give….” Everyone loves them and looks forward to them each year.
I even have a couple of gals that don’t work with us any more, and I actually mailed pretzels last year to one of them. :)
While these tangible things we’ve done are great, and make the Christmas season fun, the real reason for my attitude adjustment was focusing on the reason for Christmas. Jesus. Once my mind shifted into keeping Jesus above all–not only at Christmas, but all year long–everything changed. You see it was a heart change–one that only Jesus can make.
My two favorite words at Christmas time are Jesus and relax. Christmas day will come and go no matter where we are, so enjoy this time!
And speaking of words, my January post will be about my WOTY–Word of the Year–be thinking on yours!
Merry Christmas!
To spread the Christmas Joy, I’m giving away a copy of Chris Tomlin’s new Christmas CD-Adore! You have until midnight PST tonight to comment on this post. The winner will be contacted tomorrow so the CD can be sent and listened to before Christmas!
Jill Weatherholt says
Lovely post, Lindi. I’ve found that even the simplest traditions, can ease the stress of the holiday season.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Lindi Peterson says
Jill!! I agree-and Merry Christmas to you. :)
Diane Markesbery says
Jesus is in the heart changing business! Lindi I am so glad to hear your heart change story! Have a Merry heart Christmas! Hey that’s a good book title don’t you think ?
Lindi Peterson says
Diane!! Yes-Fabulous book title! And I love it- Merry Heart Christmas. :)
Katy C says
Love the Moose Nativity! It’s super cute. Merry Christmas!
Connie Brown says
I too suffer from the Christmas humbugs. I have to work to overcome them every year and the only way is Jesus. I only have less than 5 people to buy for and still I have problems because I’m on a fixed income and making it stretch is hard. I think the moose Nativity set is so cute. Looking forward to the next book.
mimionlife says
Yes, we too often get caught up in the rush and stress. We need to enjoy the simple things in life. We need to remember what we are truly celebrating and that is Jesus. Thank you for your post today. Merry Christmas!
Margaret Nelson says
That moose nativity is something else! Never seen anything like it. This year my nieces aren’t coming here, we’re going there, so that takes pressure off getting everything decorated in time. We just got our tree yesterday (cut from our yard), so it will probably stay up until my birthday in early January :-)
shadowlobo says
I adore that moose nativity set! Now that the kids are older, I don’t feel the stress of having to buy presents. I love to get stocking stuffers. Those fun little gifts nobody expects lol. Then I can concentrate on what to get others for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and thanks for sharing your post! I’ve been doing the word of the year for a few years now. I haven’t found one for next year yet. Will look forward to your post about it!
Valerie Comer says
One of the things we do with our adult kids at Christmas that takes off stress is joint stockings. Our kids decided they never wanted to give up stockings, so each of the six adults is responsible to pick up 1-2 small items for each other person, plus the three little ones. We encourage inexpensive stuffers while avoiding junk that is good for a laugh but goes straight to the landfill.
I think we’re all healthier for a bit of Grinch in our Christmas! It isn’t all about the decorating or the gifts or the food. There’s no need to go crazy with those things.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more…”
Trixi says
This year is a bah-humbug for me, don’t know why really! So I’m just trying to focus on the reason for the season…Christ born on Christmas :-) I’ve decided to scale way down and you know what, the stress is non-existent! Our tree will go up this weekend, the few presents will be wrapped & I’ll pick up our pre-made turkey dinner from the store on Christmas eve. The only cooking I’ll be doing, is baking my pumpkin pies :-) Now doesn’t that sound relaxing?
Carolyne Aarsen says
Relax is a good word. One that becomes especially important this time of year. Every year I try to make things easier to not add to the stress but it doesn’t always happen. But at the same time I like Christmas and the stuff that comes with it. I just have to make sure I don’t try too hard to make it perfect. To just enjoy the season. And, like you said, to relax.
jkmarko says
What fun to take the day to go relaxed shopping with your hubby! We like to go to the gem & jewelry show that comes the weekend before Christmas to just browse.
Diana W says
I put up an old, many pieces, nativity set today with lots of help from my daycare children. I had been putting it off as a huge job. I was surprised how fast we got it up, without breaking anything. We were all happy with the result, and it got rid of the feeling of being overwhelmed :-)!
Lindi PetersonLindi P says
MY mom was THRILLED when she opened that!! Thanks for stopping by–remember–WOTY-
Lindi PetersonLindi P says
Hi Connie–Truly it’s what in the heart that counts. We set $ limits as well. That’s why the pretzels are in every year–and folks LOVE them. Praying your humbugs bug out this year!!! Thanks for stopping by–remember-WOTY in January!
Lindi PetersonLindi P says
Hello!! Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for stopping by–remember WOTY for January! See you then.
Lindi PetersonLindi P says
Hello Margaret–birthday buddy–My birthday is January 4th! We’ll celebrate!! I love that you cut your tree from your yard. I lost my live tree battle a few years ago-but, oh well—we pick our battles, right? Thanks for stopping by—and like I’m telling everyone–remember–WOTY in January–see you then!!
Lindi PetersonLindi P says
Shadow–we do stocking for our kids–all grown–as well. They love them! They are huge stockings and they look forward to seeing whats in them. And yay!! Another WOTY gal—Look forward to seeing you in January!
Lindi P says
Val–thanks for rounding out this post with the Grinch quote—so awesome!! And yes, I agree, stockings are cool–I like your joint stocking idea. I’ll be looking for your WOTY in January!
Lindi P says
Trixi—Sounds very relaxing! I’ll be praying your ba-humbugs away as well—I don’t do much cooking at Christmas either–and I like that-def takes off some of could-be stress! Be thinking on your WOTY–See you in January!
Lindi P says
Carolyne—We do have to keep Jesus at the center of it all-Everything that goes with this season can spiral out of control before we know it–one thing for me, is I think 1 step ahead–I can’t let my mind wander to what’s happening next weekend–let’s keep it here and now–1 step at a time. That keeps me sane! Looking forward to your WOTY–See you in January!!
Lindi P says
JK–Fun day with the hubbs!! How cool! Thanks for stopping by-be thinking on your WOTY–See you in January!
Lindi P says
Diana–I love nativity scenes!! I wish I could see a picture of yours. I bet it is beautiful–and it sounds like the kids were a big help–thanks for stopping by–Be thinking on your WOTY–
Lindi P says
Diana–I love nativity scenes!! I wish I could see a picture of yours. I bet it is beautiful–and it sounds like the kids were a big help–thanks for stopping by–Be thinking on your WOTY–
Lee Tobin McClain says
Surprising how many of us get the Christmas blues. I love your shopping solution, but even more, your spiritual one. Thanks for a great post.
Missy Tippens says
Love that quote!! I just heard it recently and remembered how much I love that movie. :)
Missy Tippens says
Great post, Lindi. I’ve suffered from the blues some years as well. One thing that has helped me is to try to start preparing earlier. That way I don’t have the last minute panic. I can slow down and enjoy everything. This year has been good! And having kids home from college is wonderful.
Lindi Peterson says
Thank you, Lee—It’s good to talk about these things so we know we aren’t alone! God is so good to fill our hearts. :)
Lindi Peterson says
Missy! Hi! I love that your kids will be home. That always does a Mama’s heart good. And yes, planning does help as well. Thanks for stopping by–WOTY–I know you are praying on it.
Lindi Peterson says
Diana W–you have won the Chris Tomlin Cd—email me your snail mail address and I’ll send today! Congratulations!!! You will love it!
purplemeri65 says
This year the grandchildren are the ones who decorated the tree and it was fun for them. I live with my son, daughter-in-law and grandson so times are always busy but the shopping in stores is limited to helping my grandson buy gifts for each other. I am an online shopper and I require wish lists from everyone that way I will be giving something they want. Sometimes I shop early then sit and enjoy visits with friends and family. I loved your post and Blue Ridge is a lovely place to visit. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
Lindi P says
Hello purple–(My fav color!) I’m doing some online shopping–not a whole lot, though. Wish lists are great things to have–and yes we LOVE Blue Ridge!! Merry Christmas to you and be thinking on your WOTY!