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Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

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244 Reclaim Your Christmas: Practical Tips for a Stress-Less Holiday Season!

Dec 14, 2023

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…” 

 

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For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

 

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