How to survive – and thrive – during the holidays

The holidays are a joyful time of the year but, for many, it’s the most stressful. The season catapults us into searching for that “perfect” gift for our loved one who seems to already “have everything” while dreading drama filled family gatherings. Sometimes we may feel like the “family Christmas” seen on Hallmark movies and in cleverly scripted commercials only exists on the TV screen. Yet, some are blessed enough to have that “perfect” Christmas with family and friends. No matter what your family gatherings are like one thing is for certain, Christmas and stress walk hand in hand through the pages of our calendar days.

However, let’s pause for a moment and take a look at how we can not only just survive the holidays but we can actually thrive during this time. I created the acronym PRAISE to help us remember how we can make the most of this cherished and blessed time of year.

P- Practice patience. Patience is something that is an absolutely necessity: in the checkout lines, searching for a parking space, patience with uncooperative family members or indecisive individuals, or just patience while driving on the highway. We also need to be patient with ourselves. Do not expect everything to get done in a single day. Enjoy the season – don’t rush it. When we are patient with others and, rather than letting out a few words when a car cuts you off or someone breaks line at the checkout, let’s commit to pray for that individual. Pray for them to be blessed, to know Jesus, and to experience the Savior during this holiday season.

R- Receive Jesus. It sounds simple. It sounds like something that is on a greeting card or a Facebook meme. But, in essence, we struggle with receiving Jesus during Christmas. Sometimes I think we are more concerned about placing straw in the manger or getting that “last room” at the Inn rather than allowing the Christ child to touch our hearts in such a way where we will never be the same. Receive Jesus in your life through prayer, reading the Bible, listening to what the saints say about this season, and just sitting for 15 minutes in the quiet and listening for the voice of God. It’s hard to hear the “still small voice” in the hustle and bustle of shopping carts and cash registers.

A- Available. Be available this Advent and Christmas season. I know it sounds a little ironic and crazy to think we can make ourselves available with all the decorating, Christmas pageants, shopping, planning, and cooking we need to do. However, we must make ourselves available to be used by Jesus and to see Jesus. I often think of the Bethlehem scene with everyone rushing around to get to the census and obey the law and going about daily life and how they missed Jesus. Let’s make an effort to not miss Jesus. Ask Jesus how you can be available to be of service to your family, your friends, your parish, the poor, the homeless, and those in need. Then, be available.

I- Invite others into your life by giving. When we give to the poor, when we minister to the homeless, when we share the gospel with those who “run in different circles” than we do then we are inviting them to have a part of our life – even if it is in that moment. When we live a life focused on God, seeking God, and searching for God in others, we will soon see God in others and then others will certainly see Him in us. It’s not about the “perfect” gift we buy because the “perfect gift” has already come, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid gently in a manger. There is no gift more perfect, more special, and more memorable than that one. That is the gift that changed the world and, if we let him, then we will change lives by allowing them to see Jesus in us.

S- Sacraments. Attend Mass and go to confession. By attending Mass and going to confession then we open ourselves up to the presence of the Lord and to the power of the Holy Spirit. We stop, in the noise and chaos of the time, and focus on the purpose for this time of year. We stop and focus on Jesus. When our eyes are on Jesus everything else seems so small.

E- Express Jesus through your attitude and actions. We must make an effort to ensure that “the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable and pleasing to you O Lord”. (Psalm 19:14) When a family member says something we do not like, respond in love and forgiveness. When someone seems to have a negative attitude about a gift or an event, respond with the love of Jesus and then pray for them. When someone is complaining about something, respond with love and mention something positive about that same thing.

It’s hard, but it is not impossible. Make an effort to focus on Jesus this holiday season and you will soon find yourself having the best Advent and Christmas season you have ever experienced.