Trees are going up Christmas card. Pictures are being taken. The holiday season has begun. Menus have been planned for Thanksgiving and the grocery shopping will be done shortly, list already made. Christmas lists are being made, things to do and timelines are penciled in or on the phone. It seems like we just rang in 2025 and it’s already coming to a close, we’re in the homestretch. But what will you do with this season? Will you coast through on auto pilot or will you be intentional? Will you be counting the days until December 26 or will you embrace it and get as much as you can out of it? The older we get the more we see all of these possibilities. Sometimes we get so busy trying to do everything we’re supposed to do that when Christmas finally gets here we’re looking forward to saying another one is in the books and we’re ready to move onto the next year. That’s understandable too.
Here’s a challenge for this year; maybe you make some different goals. Maybe they’re not the goals of getting the shopping done by a certain date or having everything wrapped by a certain date. Consider making intentional goals of what you do. This is not something to clutter your mind with one more thing to put on the list. It’s something a little different. Here you go…
…This season, maybe rather than going on auto pilot and trying to cram as much as you can into a day, you start taking things off the list things that maybe aren’t as important and do less each day and enjoy the things you do.
… This season, how about every evening after you put the tree up, you take a few minutes to enjoy the decorations and the lights with very few other lights in the house and you just enjoy it. You put so much effort into the decorations, putting it up, why not enjoy it for a few minutes everyday.
…This season, consider taking on the challenge to read the Bible in 2026. Get a head start now and begin reading a chapter or two in the evening before you go to bed or when you wake up in the morning. There are many program out there to do it, or you could just start reading yourself with a cover to cover plan or start where you are most interested and go from there.
…This season, don’t get caught up in the date of your gatherings or celebrations. As long as you are together it doesn’t matter if it’s on Thanksgiving, before, or after. Same with Christmas or Chanukah. Also, don’t lament about who couldn’t make it this year, rather appreciate who is. People would be there if they could, it might not be their year to be with your side of the family and make no one feel bad.
…This season, strongly consider making a challenge to get your health in order incorporating exercise every day, even the smallest of an effort and begin it now as if you can fit it in now during one of the busiest seasons of the year you continue with that habit into the new year. Also, if you haven’t made appointments for annual checks/bloodwork, the calendar year is ticking away on your insurance and you may have met your deductible.
…This season, consider writing the closest people in your life a letter, letting them know how much they mean to you and the qualities they have that you admire and appreciate. It is nice for them to see in writing how you feel about them.
…This season, challenge yourself to spend less and do less during the Christmas season. Your bank account will be happy and you may be less tired or stressed.
…This season, challenge yourself to smile more as you saunter through your day. Say hello and say thank you to the people who help you along the way at the grocery store or the places your frequent.
…This season, challenge yourself to get into bed a little earlier and sleep a little longer.
…This season challenge yourself to turn off the technology more often and enjoy the people around you. It’s OK to be unavailable every once in a while.
…This season plan more dinners at home and linger around the table longer talking about the things that matter to you.
…This season make plans to get together with those people you keep meaning to get together with, even if it’s into the new year.
…This season (and coming year) get to church more often or become more engaged in your faith community as it takes everybody doing their part. It’s easy to complain about something going wrong. Maybe you get involved to do something about it where you see a need. Be more present than when the service starts and when it finishes and dashing out the door.
…How about this season you make an effort to look at the cup half full and be thankful for the people and gifts in your life every day because every day we’re here to enjoy those we love is truly a gift to be grateful for ❤️
