3 Ways to Put "Merry" in "Merry Christmas"

The word “merry” means cheerful, joyous, and lighthearted. We all want to create a “Merry” Christmas for our families – but is our family experiencing a wife and mommy who is “merry”? Are you smiling at home? Who you are at home, is who you really are. You can smile at church, smile at your neighbors, smile at strangers in the grocery store – but if you aren’t smiling at home – then that’s who you really are.

For the past 12 years of marriage, Christmas has been the season where being “merry” in the midst of the stress from my huge to do list has been a struggle. There’s cookies to bake, parties to attend, presents to wrap and messes from the kids to stay on top of! How can we honor God and not let our stress steal the word “merry” from our Christmas?
1. Tend to your Spiritual needs – Do NOT neglect your time in the word and prayer. If all you can do is read one verse – write it out on a post-it note and carry it with you all day long. Squeeze all the nourishment you can from that one verse through out the day!
I recommend meditating on Galatians 5:22 & 23 which says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” We must be walking in the spirit to have a merry heart!
2. Tend to your Emotional needs – Light a candle and put on classical music (or Christmas music) – it will have a calming effect on the entire family! If you are not able to smile in the midst of your busyness…your inner soul is not at peace.
The Proverbs 31 woman – smiled. Peace comes through prayer. The way to worry about nothing is to pray about everything.
3. Tend to your Physical needs – Get your rest. Studies show that we need at least 7 hours of sleep at night. It is difficult to be pleasant to our husbands and children when we are exhausted. Take a 15 minute bubble bath as soon as all the kids are in bed. The relaxation benefits will far exceed watching television! Extend the bath to 30 minutes and read a good book! Get a little exercise. Studies show even 10 minutes a day up your energy and mood.
Only you can take care of your deep spiritual, emotional and physical needs. No one else can do the list above for you. Use these as tools to help you accomplish all that is piled on your plate this Christmas. May this Christmas be your merriest Christmas ever.
Walk with the King!

9 Comments

  1. Thank you for this great post. Something I truly have to remember. It is hard to remember to slow down and be merry during this time of year. I think I am going to print this out for a reminder. Have a blessed day!

  2. This was very timely ~ I totally needed to read this!
    A million thank you's, Courtney, from me AND my family.
    MERRY Christmas!
    Heatherj

  3. Last night we had "breakfast" for supper, but we ate in the dining room with candles on the table and a nativity as our centerpiece. Even a simple supper became a sweet time of joy and peace for us together as a family and really "filled up the tanks of our hearts" around the table.

  4. Great post!

    Thanks for the needed reminders — and practical suggestions!

    Stopping by to say "Hi!"

    "Just for the JOY of It!"

  5. Excellent post! I needed the reminder. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of the season and lose my merry heart.

  6. wonderful words of wisdom! I found myself "losing it" earlier in the week… my 'agenda' was getting in the way of a content spirit and I was CRANKY! Praise God for the still, small voice that reminded me what I was preparing for!

    (and I'm going to try and get my bath time in soon!)

    Blessings and Merry Christmas! So glad you shared your JOY with us today.

  7. Great post! It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of it all. The other night I laid on the couch with my heat pad for my shoulders, read a book, and listened to classical CHRISTmas music with just the lights of the tree and candles. It was sooooo relaxing!

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