How to Have the “Perfect” Christmas

Written by Kimberly Chastain


“This year will be different. I vow I won’t get stressed out over presents, parties, cards, Christmas plays, putting uprepparttar tree and decorating, and allrepparttar 126483 many other tasks ofrepparttar 126484 season. I will rememberrepparttar 126485 true meaning of Christmas.”

Do you find that allrepparttar 126486 Christmas chores steal your joy?

“For unto us a child is born” - Aahhrepparttar 126487 miracle of birth. The true miracle of our Savior’s birth. As Christian mothers we are doubly blessed to celebrate Christmas. We knowrepparttar 126488 joy and pain of childbirth. We can imagine an exhausted Mary looking at her truly perfect, holy baby.

How can we recapturerepparttar 126489 joy andrepparttar 126490 simplicity ofrepparttar 126491 first Christmas?

Following are some suggestions for making thisrepparttar 126492 “Perfect” Christmas

1.Decide how you want your family to experiencerepparttar 126493 true meaning of Christmas. Ex. Will you help another family with presents? Our family now has a tradition of doing Christmas boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Our children love picking out items forrepparttar 126494 box and praying forrepparttar 126495 child who receives their box.

2.Prioritize what is most important to you. Maybe you can’t do it all. You may choose not to send Christmas cards, but do a New Years note.

3.Decide what parties you can and cannot attend. Sometimes as a family we may rarely be home in December. So much for family time.

4.If you have young children, remember how important, normal routine and sleep schedule are for younger children and you. Taking a cranky toddler shopping is not a good experience for anyone.

5.Decide what traditions you want for your own nuclear family. Sometimes we are so busy going to extended families’ homes we don’t get to start our own family traditions. Try to have a leisurely Christmas morning with children enjoying their toys before rushing off to anywhere.

“Renee’s Mommy is Here”

Written by Kimberly Chastain


I still rememberrepparttar scene vividly. I was getting out of my car atrepparttar 126482 baby-sitter’s house and a little boy comes running outrepparttar 126483 door. The little boys begins to yell - “Renee’s Mommy is here!” I remember stopping in my tracks and thinking - “Oh, that is who I am now - Renee’s Mommy.” My whole identity is now Renee’s Mommy - or is it?

As a Christian Working Mom I have multiple roles, I am Renee’s Mommy and Zachary’s Mommy as well. I am John’s wife, Betty and Eldred’s daughter, Karen’s sister, church worker, school helper, a therapist, professional coach, and a child of God. Do you often wonder who you are? Where do you fit in with all your roles?

Women have had many roles since time began. The Proverbs 31 woman is a: wife, mother, businesswoman, charity worker, and many other roles. You will recognize in here some ofrepparttar 126484 stresses we modern women face. Proverbs 31:15, 18 states she gets up while it is still dark and her lamp does not go out at night. Does that sound familiar? We are often burningrepparttar 126485 candle at both ends.

Although are many roles can be stressful there can be great

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