Photo by Krista Zerbin Designed by Cherisse Zerbin

November 2022 Update:

I wrote this blog post two years ago, long before I had lost two precious grandmothers and my amazing dad.

But even in grief, Christmas hasn’t lost its magic…

For this IS the magic that gives me HOPE for when all will be made new again!

I hope these 5 timeless questions will lead you to enjoy a no-fuss Christmas that is centered around things that truly matter.

Christmas was magical growing up. There were family gatherings, special traditions, piles of gifts and food, and a focus on the gift of Jesus Christ. I couldn’t have asked for more.

But in the last decade, I have found the ‘more’ something to fight.

While it is sad many Christmas traditions will look different this year, with a pandemic, a quieter Christmas sounds like a gift to me!

In recent years, I’ve felt more dread than anticipation when opening my online Christmas folder.

If you aren't a type-A person, you’re probably laughing at me, but creating systems to manage the hustle and bustle (like a spreadsheet for our nearly twenty events, a giving budget, and lists of our traditions, priorities, and Christmas card recipients, etc.) has helped ease the annual decision fatigue.

All that to say, four years ago, I thought I was conquering yet another crazy Christmas season.

It was 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and I was nursing our three-month-old while dressing the other little children, fixing their hair, and ensuring our vehicle was loaded with gifts and food for the next family event.

Let’s just say the thirty minutes before we arrived at my parents’ was NOT peace on earth.

I sat frigidly beside my husband through the evening candlelight church service, feeling like a total failure.

Why had I prioritized tasks over people’s hearts in those desperate thirty minutes before leaving?

I’d worked so hard all month to orchestrate a special season, and it felt like everything was ruined.

As my dad preached about a messy manger scene (any home birthers relate?) I felt less alone and less ashamed.

The message that Christmas Eve opened my eyes to why Jesus came.

For me!

That Christmas Eve was a holy night of hope for my brokenness!

For the fifteen days left that year, I focused on my Best Yes and being Present Over Perfect (two of my favourite books) as I bonded with my family.

While there is still “manure,” God’s gracious revelations year after year are making Christmas more and more magical.

All I want for Christmas is His presence!

Our world has struggled in 2020, and I pray these five questions will help us fight for a no-fuss Christmas so we can share more of the greatest gift and hope of all!

Books

Reading relaxes and inspires me.

Each year, we wrap our children's Christmas books, as seen below, or throw them in a big sack or basket, and we rediscover the gift of these beautiful books together.

We usually enjoy Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp for our homeschool devotional times leading up to Christmas.

We start this tradition by late November to enjoy the books and Advent readings without pressure.

My six kids and I also sing Christmas songs together during these times. If you are imagining a glorious choir of angels, sorry! We are closer to a zoo of shrieking monkeys.

It may not be books or music that help you slow down.

Consider:

1. What helps me relax and connect with those I love during this season?

Cards

Every year, I question if I should write and send Christmas cards. I’ve sent cards for over a decade—because words matter to me. I treasure giving and receiving personal messages from family and friends.

This may be a hard no for you this year—or every year!

It takes a lot of time to pen personal messages in over one hundred cards, but I've prioritized this tradition because it brings me joy.

Again, this may look very different for you, so ask:

2. What brings me joy as I try to connect with others this season?

Giving

I've been to third-world countries and seen enough to know we've been duped in the West. More stuff and even more experiences will not satisfy.

Let’s share and receive the abundance of God's gift without perpetuating consumerism.

By studying the love languages of the people we give to, we can learn how to give meaningful gifts.

We don't usually spend more on our own six children than what we give to our Compassion kids for Christmas.

This may change as the kids get older, but we've intentionally kept gifts pretty simple in their younger years. I interview my kids for ideas and follow this little ditty:

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read

And this year, we added…

Something to give

While we can afford bigger gifts for our kids, I want them to experience Christmas as a time of giving—especially to those in need!

Several years ago, my oldest son was burdened by the plight of homeless people in our cold winters, so we bought comfy Costco blankets and drove around downtown looking for recipients.

This has led us to dream up different giving adventures with the kids each year.

In our first year of marriage, my husband and I began the tradition of setting aside money each month to save towards our Christmas budget—intended for gifts and giving.

Go ahead and ask:

3. In what areas is Jesus leading me to spend, save, or give?

Nature

My recent studies on the universe's origins have reaffirmed my belief in an intimate and infinite God!

Experiencing God's creation through walking, sledding, skating, skiing, stargazing, blazing fires, hayrides, and twinkling trees refreshes our bodies and brings our troubles into perspective.

Nature is medicine to our souls.

Take a minute to consider:

4. What outdoor winter activities help me appreciate God's creation?

Presence

As I mentioned at the start, all I want for Christmas is God's presence; I also want to shine His light in a dark world.

John 3:16 is a familiar verse, but take a minute to read it in The Message translation:

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

Yes—we need our world ‘put right’ again!

In the coming weeks, as we decorate trees, sing carols, read books, bake cookies, enjoy lit houses (and eat the gingerbread ones), may all our activities and traditions point to our hope in Jesus!

Emmanuel—God with us!

Consider this final question: