I don’t know about you, but I’m just over it all. I’m trying so hard to just get “in the mood.” I just want my heart filled in a way that can only come in the holiday. Both from the magic of the season, but the reminders of the cradle, too. 

I started an Advent Discussion group earlier this month and the quick response for others to join confirmed that I’m not the only one in this place. It’s not that the “hustle-bustle” of the season has us like it usually does. This year we are all in a funk. I’m craving Christmas parties and seeing smiles on faces while I’m out shopping. I”m missing big Advent services at church and strolling the aisles at the mall just because. 

But, at the same time, I’m super thankful for the ways we are experiencing this season with new creativity. Just this weekend, we went to a drive-thru breakfast with Santa event and my kid still got the baked goods, crafts, and to talk to Santa. Our community held a drive-thru Christmas parade and we still did our around town hot cocoa jammy jam. It takes a little research and extra planning, but there are still many ways to keep the magic in Christmas this year. 

I’ll even go so far as to say the extra may all be a little gift with less on our agendas and more time to lean into the wonder and awe that Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a baby. That it was the plan B that became the way. I”m so thankful for Jesus. Teaching my son this year about the story of the nativity, I feel like I’m back to the basics and enjoying the little details where I see God’s big orchestrated plan come to life.

Read something every day 

For me, that means a daily advent devotional. But, you could be reading in an app, blow the dust off an old book on your shelf or pick up a new novel. But, get still and quiet and turn off the tech and just be present with written words. 

Stimulate your senses with the holidays

One of the ways to “experience” something is to take it in from every direction. So, my challenge is to bake something and smell the scents of the season. Maybe baking is not your thing and you need an essential oil blend or holiday candle, but breathe in the scents of the season that always bring back nostalgic moments of childhood.  

Listen to holiday music. Find your favorite childhood songs on YouTube or download a new album and support an artist. But, listen in. Learn a new song and slow down long enough to hear the words.

Watch a new Christmas movie. Yes, there are so many that “make it Christmas.” But, take some time and watch something new. And, it doesn’t have to even be a Hallmark movie, but why not. Our hearts need healing and love.

Make something with your hands

Whether it’s baking cookies or rolling out ornaments, get your hands dirty and feel and touch the ingredients as you put together random things to make a beautiful finished product. Maybe crafts are more your thing than baking. That’s fine. Be intentional to focus and make a Christmas ornament or participate in a handmade ornament exchange.

Some of the ornament ideas we love and are trying a couple of this year:

• Salt Dough Ornaments
• Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
• Fruit Cup Jingle Bell ornament
• Terracotta Pot Jingle Bell Ornament
• Tin Can lid ornament
• Dollar tree kits
• Button wreath ornament

Give or participate in something to serve others

It is a proven fact (I’ll find the data later) that doing something for others will always lift your spirits. This year give of yourself, your time, your money. Find out if there is a family in need in your community. Check with a church, guidance counselor, or DHS office to find out what needs exist with the children in your community. We are excited this year to help participate in providing items for an Inmate Christmas Project. There are all kinds of ways you can help serve others. Or, just makeup something you can do to use your talents to serve. 

Remember the organizations that help the most vulnerable in our community have been hit hard with canceled events and frozen accounts that keep them from being able to help. Your donations can go a long way to provide more.  

Slow down and do as much as you can with intention 

Open the cards and look at them, read them, notice where you place them in your home. Go do all the community drive-thru things and just be with people. Watch all the movies with your family, but put down your phone and snuggle under the covers or hold hands. The feeling of touching another person is so healing. 

There are so many things you can do this holiday season to lift your spirits and spread joy. Let your kids see your family living with intention and take advantage of the extra time together to have a real conversation and learn more about the people around you. 

It might just be that 2020 is the year that changed your family after all.