Episode summary:

Tired of the holiday hustle? Ditch the overwhelm and rediscover the joy of the season! In this podcast episode replay, Scott and I share practical ways to reduce stress and enjoy a more relaxed Christmas.  Learn how to simplify traditions, manage expectations, and focus on what truly matters. You can enjoy a restful, relaxing holiday! Join us for how!

Quotables from the episode:

So much of our stress at Christmas comes from several key areas:

• Keeping tradition for tradition sake 
• People pleasing
• Unrealistic & often unvoiced expectations of ourselves and others
• Trying to prove something to someone (or yourself)

It’s easy to talk about Christmas and refocusing on Christ at Christmas but what does that look like?

• Resting in His presence
• Spending time with The Gift (Jesus) and The Gift Giver (Our Heavenly Father)
• Letting Him take care of us
• Trading in our to-do list for rest
• Recognizing what the busyness means/truly reflects

Practical Tips for Stressing Less This Christmas:

• Let each family member choose ONE kind of cookie to be baked and let them help make them
• Let the lights on the tree, and Christmas cards received, be the tree decorations
• Let the wrapping of the gifts be the love with which they were purchased
• Make the Christmas dinner be comprised of each family member’s favorite dish
• Consider catering the Christmas meal
• Resolve to be okay with paper plates and napkins so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you love

A hope-filled perspective for a less stressful Christmas:

• God doesn’t put these heavy burdens on us
• God invites us into His rest, not for Him but for our benefit
• God offers us the chance to choose His rest, but He doesn’t force us
• Fewer expectations means fewer disappointments

Scripture References:

• Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• Hebrews 4:1 “God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it…” 

Recommended Resources: 

• Feeling Down this Holiday Season? Break Free from Unmet Expectations
• How To Get Organized and Simplify Your Christmas Holidays – Episode 189
• Putting REST in the Christmas Holiday RUSH
• Focusing on What’s Important to Reduce Holiday Stress – Episode 140
• 9 Tips for Handling Family Conflict and Stress During the Holidays
• How to Let Go of the Anxiety and Overwhelm of the Holiday Season – Episode 139
• Ways to Create a More Peaceful Christmas
• Quit Striving for the Picture Perfect Christmas
• When Doing Less is Actually Doing More at Christmas
• How to Relieve Stress This Christmas
• What I Really Want This Christmas
• Content at Christmas 
• The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms  
• Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
• Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Trusting God Through Cancer 1
• Trusting God Through Cancer 2
• Revive & Thrive Women's Conference
• Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.)
• Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win

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Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

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