Holidays
With The Family: Kill Me Now!
Most
of us are gearing up for the Christmas holiday with our families. Whether you
are a fresh college student out on break or a seasoned grandma ready to pinch
some cheeks next week, this season represents a special time. Leah and I are
getting ready to be with our four (Yes, four. Divorce is no fun…) different
families this holiday. So I thought I would offer three family-time suggestions
that might change your family-Christmas experience:
1.
Turn
Conflict To Grace: The holidays have proven to be a source of great stress
for families and individuals. This increase is so profound that stress-related
mortality rates jump in the months of December and January.[1]
Families tend to be so stressed they just drop dead! We’ve all been there when
uncle Joe and aunt Susan begin to have it out right in front of the family; as
a kid this is quite amusing, but as an adult it’s sad. How can we, as
Christians, be a source of joy for our families and not another stress? What if
we made sure that we live as Hebrews 12:15 says this holiday, “See to it that no one
fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and
causes trouble”? How will you be a source of grace this Christmas? 
2. Evangelize Better: Every Christmas I
sit around a table with a group of family members that do not know Jesus. I
often ignore the Jesus questions when I have the opportunity, but then lament
my decision until the next holiday. I encourage you to share Jesus with your
family this holiday. Do not join in the drinking games rather show them Jesus’
love. Some practical and non-pushy ways you can do this is by asking if you
could pray over the food or by going above and beyond in an act of service.
Whatever it might be, choose this season to be intentional.
3. Chill Out: Turn your cell phone off and
play with your nieces and nephews. Ask your grandma how her life is going and
tell your uncle something cool about yourself. Whatever may be your source of
distraction this holiday, disconnect from it. Take this time to make it special
for yourself and your family. You never know if this will be your last time
seeing that person.
What are some things you can do
differently this holiday season that will bring glory to God?
[1] Kloner,
R. A. "The "Merry Christmas Coronary" and "Happy New Year
Heart Attack" Phenomenon." Circulation 110.25 (2004):
3744-745. Print.
