Last week the subject of this blog was holiday traditions. My objective was to encourage you, in your role as caregiver, not to feel guilty when you could not live up to all of the time-honored traditions your family has always observed. 

This week, the thoughts I will share have to do with celebrating Christmas in a glorious way without baking and decorating and shopping yourself into a frenzy. Many of you already know what I am talking about, especially if you have been a caregiver for a while. At some point in the journey, you begin to understand that out of necessity, holidays will be celebrated in a different way than in the past. You may be surprised to discover these are the best times and do not lack in joy and love, the most important aspects.

Just a few weeks ago it seemed that there was plenty of time to prepare for Christmas…I just checked the calendar. Less than a month; actually, as of today, exactly 25 days.

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I have always taken making plans and preparations for it very seriously. Maybe too much so. What does it mean to you to prepare for Christmas… shopping…decorating…baking…scheduling special activities and get-togethers with family and friends? All of the above?

A caregiver’s schedule, no matter the time of year, is already crowded. How do you fit into the busy days of December all that needs to be done? How do you get enough rest so when Christmas Day arrives you will not be too worn out to enjoy it? I suggest a simple word:

Simplify: make (something) simpler or easier to do or understand.

I believe in making lists year-round. Writing down, often in order of importance, the plans I hope to accomplish in a certain amount of time keep me focused and provide encouragement when I am able to check off an item on the list. So, I suggest you start with a master list – everything you would like to accomplish between now and Christmas. Next, number each item in order of priority. Prayerfully read over your list one more time, marking off anything that does not have to be done before Christmas or transfer these items to a separate “If time permits” list and put aside, just in case.

Now, look at each item and decide how you can make it simpler. “Decorate the house.” Tree remains; do not feel compelled to display every Christmas knick-knack you have collected over the years. 

“Buy gifts for all family members and 15 friends” could be refined to “Give to favorite charity of all siblings; gift cards to five closest friends.” Instead of buying gifts for the others, consider inviting them to meet at a favorite restaurant for a Dutch treat meal and great fellowship. Think outside the usual box and choose gifts and activities that are not a challenge to pull off. 

Christmas family dinner does not have to be three mains and multiple sides. One year we chose a taco bar; another year it was lasagna and salad. 

Of course, making Christmas special for your loved one should be a priority.  There are so many variables here, depending on the physical and mental condition, stage of illness, etc. Do not concentrate all your focus on your recipient (and thus cut other loved ones out of your celebration) but consider the best ways to include everyone in your circle in some part of your celebration.

So much we do to prepare for Christmas has nothing to do with Christmas, which is of course, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. When we make that the focus of our celebration, it becomes much easier to put everything else in its proper place. 

Many years ago, I realized the most important preparation was the one that takes place in my  own heart…the reading of scripture and praying and listening to music that centers my thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas. When you begin from that perspective, your vision of the perfect Christmas may change dramatically. 

I was inspired to simplify Christmas even further this year (okay, COVID-19 restrictions have made some aspects of simplifying easier) after hearing an after-Christmas sermon last year. All my life I have heard and observed that the Christmas story in the Bible is found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. In the first few chapters of these books we find the genealogy of Jesus and specific details of Jesus’s conception and birth. The Magi have starring roles in Matthew; the Heavenly Host shine in their appearance in Luke. Same historical narrative from two viewpoints. 

The minister I was listening to on the radio chose, “The Christmas Story from the book of John” as the title of his message. Oh, yes, it is there and it is pithy and just maybe, the most powerful telling of Jesus’ birth. John 1:14 reads “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” One verse. One factual declaration. All we really need to know about the Christmas story. So beautiful. So glorious. So to the point. All we need to know to celebrate Christmas.

So simple; but nothing needs to be added. Wishing you a simple Christmas!