Christmas or Stress-mas?

Have you ever played the game, “What’s your favorite Christmas memory?” or “What was your favorite Christmas gift?”

Mine are two of the same. Growing up poor as a child, we lived in a very old, dilapidated house. Originally it didn’t have indoor plumbing. When I was about 6 years old, we had a chimney fire just before Christmas. Our Christmas tree and all our gifts were ruined. It would be a very sad holiday indeed because we certainly didn’t have money to buy new presents.

However, one night after returning home, we found a note on our door. It told us to go around to the storm cellar. When my father lifted the door, there were more presents than this child ever knew existed! Christmas was saved!

But rather than the gifts themselves, the kindness of strangers is my favorite memory to this day. (That and the panda bear I named Big Fatso.)

Each Christmas my brother and I would always ask my mother what gift she’d like. She routinely replied, “Peace and contentment.”  Okay, I wondered in my childlike mind, how do I package that?

How do you believe God would answer that question if we asked Him what gift He’d like from us this Christmas? Wouldn’t it be the same? The best gift is something with the express goal of making another happy. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always thought the most valuable presents were handmade, crafted from the heart.

God doesn’t need presents. Let’s face it, He could write a check for anything He wanted. Speak and it would Be. What He needs and desires is an attitude of love. He loved US enough, even in our most despicable, selfish self, to give the most glorious gift of all, the gift of Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This can’t be bought, but comes from our hearts, minds, and spirits . . . The best love is always given freely.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

As I entered adulthood, I learned that peace and contentment aren’t items to be wrapped, it’s an attitude. My mother wanted a peaceful Christmas wrapped in gratitude.

We all know that the holidays can accompany stress. We rush around, trying to ensure that everyone’s happy. There’s pressure in searching every store to find the perfect gift for that certain someone or did we get exactly the same number of gifts for each child??? Then we must decorate the house to keep up with the neighbors and search for a different outfit to attend every party we’re invited to. So much busyness!

It’s stressful, isn’t it? What do you think God thinks of all this? All I can think of is the story of Martha when she complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping her in the kitchen. Jesus gently

rebuked, urging her to choose the better choice of sitting at his feet and being still and teachable. It might be important to consider that if “perfection” calls your name.

God could have brought His only child into this world with great fanfare but He didn’t. He didn’t have red and green Santa displays at his arrival. Rather Jesus was born modestly in a manger, with only a few shepherds in attendance. I bet they sat still in awe at the feet of Jesus too.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if mankind celebrated the birth of the most important person in the world with the same adoration today? Unfortunately, we surround ourselves with wrapping paper and bows, forgetting about the baby born. How many families even read the Christmas story on this day anymore? Slow down and remember the reason for the season. Don’t we realize that God would prefer a spiritual attitude rather than things?

Relax – Get Rid of Stress

Stress is a war against your body. Stress raises blood pressure, releases insulin to dangerous levels, and affects our breathing, eyesight, and mental capacity. It even thins our hair. Stress can make hunger pains increase or worse, not eat at all. What can we do?

Begin by knowing yourself. Are you competitive, a socializer, shy, or have a curious personality? Your temperament indicates how you’ll subconsciously react to stress.

• • If you’re a curious person, you’ll try some items simply to discover how they will taste.
  • If you are introverted, you’ll eat to keep your hands occupied
  • A social person is a people pleaser; sometimes trying items simply to tell the creator how delicious and enjoyable something was.
  • We are happy, social, and curious. Embrace your personality. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

It’s quite common at this festive time of year to overeat rich, decadent foods. It seems our willpower is challenged greatly and easily evaporates at the first sign of sweets!

How can we stay healthy while partying with family, friends, or employee parties during this season? It’s not easy but it can be done. It’s a choice.

Be prepared. Don’t go to any activity overly hungry! If you are starving, you’re tempting yourself to lose control.

Use common sense. Approximately an hour before the party, have a snack, crackers, a piece of cheese, or fruit with a little bit of peanut butter (for complex carbohydrate, fat, and protein balance.)

Have a plan! You know Grandma will bring her creamy, “to-die-for” chocolate peanut butter torte. Bring a slice home instead of eating it there. Break it into smaller pieces, freeze some, and enjoy.

Choose wisely. It’s not complicated; use an exchange method. Eat less mashed potatoes or bread so you’ll enjoy a small slice of that torte for dessert without guilt feelings. You’ve remained in control while selecting something you really desired.

It’s being out of control that destroys us. Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach. In between, sip a bit of seltzer water which dilutes the alcohol content.

Have a Christ-centered mindset! Don’t allow a food item to become your Lord.

When you remain in control you can conquer “SELF.” Didn’t Jesus sacrifice his “self” for our good?

“Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them.” (Proverbs 3:21)

Establish a workout routine until it becomes a habit. This is another trade-off method. Health has a cost and food is never free! Temptation will hang on you like a demon, destroying your temple of the Holy Spirit. But God is not a wicked parent who wants to take away your desert simply because you’ve been bad. He gave us free will and the good news is: He allows us to choose. Contemplate wise choices.

Conquer your cravings by beating them into submission. Okay, you ate it, you own it; now what? Exercise shouldn’t be drudgery. By choosing what you enjoy, once again you are in control. Ask a friend to walk with you or walk your dog. Play in the snow, dance with your children, Zumba, jump rope, bike, play indoor tennis, or buy new exercise equipment or video.

Accept the most important Gift God offers to us, an eternity of peace and contentment.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

Merry Christmas to all and I pray our attitudes continually express peace and contentment, for we have been very blessed indeed.

After attending Graham Jr. College in Boston and Moody Bible College, Ellie Marrandette earned her Bachelor of Ministry (BMIN) from Trinity Theological Seminary. Fascinated by psychology and physiology, God directed Ellie toward a rewarding healthcare career. She became a licensed, certified nutritional counselor, working with doctors, nutritional centers, and independently as the founder of New Creations Ministries, a faith-based solution in overcoming health challenges. In recent years, God has focused Ellie’s path toward writing. She is the author of four Christian novels, a novella, and a non-fiction book on healthy living entitled, Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese (Nutritional and Life Lessons God Teaches Us.) Her most recent book, God’s Furry Messengers was just published in July, 2023. All can be found Here. Her current endeavor is to complete a children’s devotional this year. For more about Ellie Marrandette visit her New Creations website.  

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