Who doesn’t love the holidays?! It is such a happy time of the year when you have a chance to connect with others and reflect on what matters most. On the flip side, there is so much to do. If you are like me, you feel like there is a lot of time to get things done until you reach the middle of December and realize you are 10 short days from Christmas! By that point I am typically in panic mode trying to make the most of every minute of the day. I will squeeze a shopping trip in here and there. Add Christmas parties, extra family events, and Christmas programs to the mix, and before I know it, my routine is completely out of whack! The little time I had to relax has been absorbed by holiday preparations. Some people embrace the madness and feel energized by the change of pace. I on the other hand, tend to feel tired, stressed, and overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the season.

Don’t get me wrong, I really do love the holidays! I enjoy decorating, shopping, parties, wrapping, cookie baking, and extra time with family and friends. However, as a wife, mother, and full-time worker, a routine is important to me. This year I tried not to stress out if holiday plans didn’t go according to my routine or plan. I focused on the joy that comes with the holidays and the true meaning of the season. I enjoyed the holiday season, but I do feel some relief as my routine is getting back on track!

Just because the chaos is over doesn’t mean the feeling has to go to. As I see the decorations come down, it can seem like the meaning of it all has gone away until next December (let’s be serious, it’s more like Thanksgiving). But as Christians, we know that Jesus is here, for we just celebrated his birth, and look forward to the next major event on our calendars, when he dies on the cross for our sins. The normal routine is back, but the revival of our saving in Christ is renewed for another year.