“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10


Christmastime can be an overwhelming season, even for those of us who love it. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, we can easily lose the beauty of the season, and it can cause us to spiral emotionally. The following are some gentle tips to help make the season of Advent a bit easier.

•Go for a brisk walk in the cold. Breathe in the cleansing, frosty air. It doesn’t have to be a long walk. Just get out and go if you can.

•If you are able, volunteer. Studies have shown that people who struggle with depression actually do better when they are helping serve others

•You do not have to make the season perfect. Your loved ones would much rather eat store bought goodies than watch you torture yourself trying to fit baking into an already chaotic schedule.

•Listen to “Mary’s Boy Child” by Harry Belafonte. Play it on repeat if needed. (It is exquisite on vinyl, but don’t add stress by trying to find it. Google is your friend.)

•Nothing has to be perfect. Gift bags, newspaper, birthday paper, or no wrapping at all are okay. No one is going to remember how the gifts were wrapped.

•Remember that mumbled prayers, shower prayers, car-rider line prayers, prayers written on little scraps of paper and even little tiny bits of jumbled prayers are all forms of meditation and devotion. They are enough.

   Give yourself, a beloved child of God, grace this season. Most importantly, if the Christmas season gets too overwhelming, if you feel like you cannot function, reach out. Tell someone. Text someone. Tell the person you are sitting next to at church. 

   People love you so much more than you realize.

   Breathe. Release control. Remember you are loved by the Creator. You’ve got this.