It’s that time again. Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I jot down everything I want to get done before Christmas—and then I snort with laughter at the absurdity of it all. Seriously? It would take a team of four about six weeks to do what I want to accomplish in three weeks–in addition to all that pesky regular life stuff that doesn’t stop for the holidays.

Several years ago, after a particularly exhausting Christmas season where I tried to do it all, I finally realized that life is not a Hallmark movie and most of us don’t have the luxury of doing nothing but celebrating for a month.  Which means most of the things on my to-do list simply aren’t going to happen.

I know a dear lady who worked so hard to create the ‘perfect’ Christmas—perfect table settings, perfect meal, perfect decorations, perfectly wrapped gifts—that she was a frazzled, sleep-deprived grumpy mess every year by the time Christmas arrived. When I realized I could easily become her, I made some changes.

Instead of sending 200 Christmas cards with a handwritten note inside, our loved ones now get greetings via social media.

Instead of saying “yes” to everything, we have deliberately cut back on the number of events on our list.

I want to rush less…and linger more.

I want to enjoy the Christmas lights …not the glare of an electronic screen.

Hubby’s Christmas magic

I want to spend time with loved ones…not racing around a crowded mall.

I want to read a cozy Christmas story…not sale ads. (What are you reading this season? Please let me know in the comments. And if you haven’t read my Christmas novella, THE CHRISTMAS GIFT, you can check it out here.)

But mostly, I don’t want to lose the meaning of Christmas under all the hurry and glitter. The greatest gift—God with us–arrived in a stable on a cold, quiet night. Christ’s birth brings HOPE, just as it did 2000 years ago. That’s what Christmas is all about.

From my heart to yours, I wish you hope and peace this Christmas season,

Connie

PS–For a bit of early holiday cheer, check out this fun giveaway I’m part of, with 55 other authors! Click here to enter: http://bit.ly/sweet-fall. But hurry, the giveaway ends Dec. 5^th.

Sweet Romance Giveaway! Nov. 28 – Dec. 5th