“Peace on earth.” How’s that going for you this holiday season? According to Webster, peace is a “a state of concord or tranquility.” Concord isn’t a word we use every day. One definition is “a simultaneous occurrence of two or more musical tones that produces an impression of agreeableness.”
It doesn’t take a musician to identify when multiple notes don’t belong together. Instead of harmony there is discord, and it can set you on edge. It does, however, take a musician to figure out which notes belong together. Some people have that natural talent. Others learn to identify it to create musical harmony.
There are many ways to enhance a state of concord during the holiday season. If you’re not one for whom being organized comes naturally, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a stressful season. Here are five Timely Tips to blend for a peaceful - concord Christmas.
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Simplify-- You can’t do it all. Don’t try.
One way we simplified is with a tradition of going to PF Chang’s for our family Christmas dinner. We enjoy the experience and I love spending less time creating a menu, grocery shopping, preparing food, setting tables, and cleaning up.
Other families simplify by opting for a family trip or combining gift money to donate to a charity in lieu of exchanging gifts. In addition to blessing someone less fortunate, this cuts down on shopping and wrapping and prevents after Christmas clutter and chaos due to more stuff to store.
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Don’t Recreate the Wheel
Take a photo of each room/area you decorate. Give it a caption on your phone so you can easily find it next year. When you take down your décor at the end of the season, store things in bins according to their location. Use the photo to recreate your décor next year.
Unless your creative nature doesn’t allow it, repeat successful holiday meal menus and consumable gift ideas. It’s like playing the same carols you’ve already learned on the piano instead of struggling with a new one each year. Concord.
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Set Limits
Putting limits on the number of activities brings concord to your Christmas. This is different for everyone. Just because your neighbor is off to a cookie exchange Saturday morning, a carriage ride in the afternoon, and neighborhood caroling in the evening doesn’t mean that’s right for you. Respectfully decline gift exchanges or activities that put you over the edge.
Limit the dollar amount for your gift-giving list. If done correctly, this enables you to know when you’re done shopping and keeps you out of debt. Another concord moment.
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Make a Plan-- For me the biggest stressor is feeling like I’m running behind. Christmas always seems to come so fast.
The best way to combat that stress is to plan ahead. When you get your 2023 calendar, assign dates for the preparation (decorating, shopping, baking) and activities that are a priority for you. Life may get in the way, but at least you’ll have a list on your calendar of things that you know bring concord to your Christmas.
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Lasting Peace-- I’m sitting in a coffee shop. To my left are two women, heads bowed and hands joined. In this busy holiday season, they are choosing concord. Jesus came into this world to live, die, and resurrect to life so that we can have peace with God, the Father, and with one another. May you know the lasting peace that only comes through Him.
wise words
"For he himself is our peace..." The Apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:14)