In our busy lives as husbands and fathers, peace and contentment often seem to be in short supply. Let’s face it, the demands of work, social obligations, and the often break-neck schedules families face can make it tempting for dad to hide in the basement and watch sports all weekend.
Surely Christmas will offer some respite. Surely the beautiful story of hope and promise will sprinkle peace and contentment like fairy-dust from Tinkerbell and all will be right with our world. No such luck! For many families, the long run from Thanksgiving to Christmas simply ramps up the busyness, the responsibilities, the schedule, the planning, the activities, and the stress. So what’s a dad to do? Will you fight for peace and contentment this Christmas? Consider the following 5 ideas:
1. Be like the Wise Guys and follow the star.
If you haven’t already, dig out the family “Nativity Set,” and place it in a prominent location. Take turns placing each character on the stage, even the shepherds. Tell the story. Make sure Christmas gets headed in the right direction right out of the gate.
2. Give away more than you get.
Shift the family focus from, “What will I get?” to, “What fun it is to give!” Teach the kids to be generous from their own money and their own time, rather than spending your money gifts for them to give to those in need. Meet as a family and agree on a local kids’ charity or family you know that could use a hand this year. Have everyone put an item for them on their Christmas lists. Then deliver the items as a family.
3. Plan one epic family event each week leading up to Christmas.
Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Plan a family event each week, such as a Christmas movie marathon, Christmas light-viewing drive, shopping on behalf of a needy family, or baking Christmas cookies for your neighbors.
4. Initiate “Grateful December” as a family.
Here’s how it works: during at least one meal per day, each family member must share one thing that they are grateful for. The effect is a cumulative shift toward contentment (Note, this cannot be done with the TV on!).
Related Resources:
- 5 Ways to Ease the Holiday Stress
- 5 Ways to Make Your Wife Happy During the Holidays
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If you had been a shepherd, what would you have brought as a gift for the new baby?