It’s December 5th already… we’re all in the swing of the season and I’m wondering if you are feeling the “Hustle” already, or are you finding the “Hushed” moments?

I have to admit I’m feeling the hustle… and I’d really like to change that. I think that’s why I’m blogging about this and trying to talk it through for myself, and hopefully help someone else in the process.

I know we all lead very busy lives and there is so much to occupy us, especially at this time of year! In our own household we have a myriad of things going on… a busy little grand baby in the house, a new house being built with a TON of “to-do’s left to tackle, a college kid going back and forth, moving my mom into a new place and selling her house, a play for the youngest next week and a host of other things! It’s crazy around here!

But, amongst all of that I want to take a breath and be intentional about our time.

So how does that happen? How do you cut through the “to-do” list, stop the madness and seek out the “Stillness” of this Advent Season?

I’m sharing on the blog today some ways I am honestly trying to do this this year. I know it’s not easy, and like I said... I’m feeling the hustle and I don’t like it.  But I’m truly seeking ways to keep Christ and this special time leading up to His birth at the forefront of our families hearts and minds. 

I’ve been thinking about the ways we can keep the focus on Christ at this time of the year, and ways that I could share with you that I’m trying to slow down and do this. So many times at this year though I have such GREAT ideas of things I’m going to do… and then they don’t all happen. One of those things is doing a journaling prompt or “December Daily” every day in December. And over the years it has actually stressed me out because I want to do it, I long to have the time to be that creative and consistent throughout the month and then when I’m NOT, I’m upset at myself. That is NOT what I want you to feel and I’ve actually given myself grace in this area over the last couple years and it has freed me up to enjoy what is more important: Faith, Family & Fellowship with others.

Here we are enjoying family time last Christmas in Vail…

So first and foremost, I want you to know that I’m not giving you the following suggestions as if I have it all together and will complete each one of these! This is simply ways in which we can all find some time for the little moments that really make such a difference in our attitude, our home and in our hearts at this special time of year.

Some ideas to try:

1. Christmas shopping completed early. The last couple years I have been done with my Christmas shopping before December 1st. Now I may buy a few stocking stuffers here and there throughout December, but the main gifts for family and friends are already bought, and I just wrapped the majority of them last night! This really takes the stress off and I’ve noticed the last two years that I’ve done this is had given me a freedom from that “shopping mode” we all get into at this time of year.

2. Tree Trimming. We have always as a family trimmed the tree around Thanksgiving. Again, another thing that is done before December… but more than that it is a family affair that has special meaning to all of us. I buy a new ornament for each family member every year and we play Christmas music while we decorate the tree and then have Hot cocoa and cookies afterwards while we watch a Christmas movie. A tradition that doesn’t get old and I think doing it early sets a tone of togetherness for the season.

3. Advent Journaling. I’ve only don’t this for a few years but I LOVE it! Having this a part of my daily (or almost daily) routine during the month of December is a beautiful way to keep Christ the focus! I will usually read the scripture for the day, take one of the verses from it and journal it in my Traveler’s Notebook and then take a little time to add some creative doodling or ephemera around it. Even if it’s just 10minutes, it’s a fun and creative way to focus each day on the arrival of Christ’s birth!

4. Advent Devotional. This is not something we have done since the kids were little, but I just bought a beautiful book called: “The 25 Days of Christmas: A Family Devotional to Help You Celebrate Jesus by James Merritt. We just opened the box up last night and will start it tonight! (see I am not that on top of things… but even starting on DAY 5 is good in my book) Doing this as a family is a special time that will remind me of when our kids were young and we did devotions at the dinner table together.

5. Cookie Giving. When we lived in California will had a lot of parties at this time of year for the girls. We did Christmas Tea’s and Cookie Exchange parties and it was so fun! Over the last few years as they got older we decided to do something a little different. We would make a TON of our favorite cookies and wrap them up nicely and then go out one night and drive to all their friends houses and put them on their front porch. They loved giving these homemade treasures to their friends and it was a way to spread some love. We still love doing this in our new state and even as adults we have fun deciding who to bring them to each year.

6. Christian Music. I’m home most days as I homeschool and work from home so having music playing in the background is just a daily part of my life. But playing Christian music is such a blessing to my soul and I have to say it quiets my thoughts in ways that silence will never do. I highly recommend putting on some inspirational music while you are going about your day and especially at this time of year! It really does help with anxiousness or stress and is so uplifting. I find myself crying or raising my hands in praise as I’m going about my day with praise music on in the house and I love it! So if you’re feeling a little extra “frazzled” at this time of year, I highly recommend this tip.

7. Read your Bible. I know, I say this a LOT… but at this busy time of year I suggest it even MORE! Yes, we may have less time… but that just means we need to be more intentional about it. Nothing else is going to quiet your heart, mind and soul like spending time in God’s Word. I can’t say I’m perfect at this, and God’s not looking for perfection anyways so all I’m saying is what I know. And that is… when I am in the Word daily I am less hustled, less frazzled and less agitated with those around me. I look forward to the mornings now when I have 20-30 minutes alone with the Lord. I spend time alone before everyone else is up and cuddle on the couch with a blanket and my Bible and it’s my favorite time of the day now. If that’s now something you can do in the morning, then take 10 minutes before bed or 10 minutes when the kiddos are napping or your on lunch break at work. At this time of year, this is the best tip I can give you to finding those “hushed” moments.

8. Make a Cake. Every year since I was a little girl, we have made a “Happy Birthday Jesus” Cake for Christmas! Ours is a Peppermint IceCream Cake, and it’s DIVINE! I should probably add the recipe to that cake on our blog… remind me to do that and I’ll put that up next week. But this is another great way for the kids (and adults) to remember who we are celebrating on Christmas. We usually gather everyone around the kitchen table and we even light candles on the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. It’s a fun tradition, but one in which I love focusing the day around and everyone is excited to eat this cake!

9. Samaritan’s Purse. We love Franklin Graham’s organization and support what they are doing to give back to kids in poor communities around the globe by giving them Christmas gifts. The “shoebox” filled to the brim with toys and needed items for these kids all over the world is such a beautiful thing to be a part of! Each year you can not only shop and fill these boxes and turn them in, but you can also help in their distribution centers. Our girls have done this for years and it is always one of their favorite things to do at this time of year. By now the boxes are on their way to their destinations so to help out next year you can look into this in late October/ early November if you want to help. I would highly recommend doing this with your family and especially your kids because it’s a great way for them to see how blessed they are and it get’s them excited about giving to others.

10. Take a Deep Breath. My hubby asks me if I’m “Ok” when he hears me breathing deeply. I guess it’s just my way to let out the stress and it calms my busy life… so I AM ok when you hear me breathing deeply! hahaha I think it’s also very healthy for you to breath in for 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds and release it for 5 seconds. So take some deep breaths and know that you are so loved. God knows your every moment; He knows the busy life you lead, the stress that is causing you to feel “hustled” and your heart to “be still” in Him. Don’t forget that. This is such a wonderful time of year for believers! We get to celebrate what God did for us! We get to see how that all came to happen 2000 years ago! And it’s never easier to share our LIGHT with others than at this time of year!

I hope some of these ideas bless you at this time of year. I know it would be an encouraging word to everyone if you wanted to add any of your own ideas here in the comments too! We’d love to hear what things you and your family do as Christmas traditions or ways to keep Christ the focus as this time of year.

And don’t forget to enter our GIVEAWAY on our Instagram page! We will announce the winner of our “Christmas Green” Traveler’s Notebook on Friday!

Have a blessed day everyone!❤️

Hugs,

Laura McCollough