Ho! Ho! Ho!.....Season's Greetings.....Merry Christmas.....these are the expected sentiments at this time of year. But what if you can't muster up a "seasonal" greeting, anything "merry", or even come close to a "jolly" laugh? What if in fact you are struggling with feelings of increased sadness and/or anxiety? The holidays can often heighten these draining feelings. The culprit for these intense feelings is often tied to the stress created by unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves to achieve the "perfect" holiday experience; commercialism, or tension and unresolved issues among family members and/or a recent death of a loved one. In addition, your normal coping skills aren't enough to manage the increased stress. If any of this sounds familiar you may be experiencing the "holiday blues" or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The symptoms you experience may mimic clinical depression:

• Ongoing feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability or a feeling of "emptiness"
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or helplessness
• Difficulty thinking, concentration or making decisions
• Trouble sleeping; over-sleeping
• Decreased energy; fatigue
• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once pleasurable

No matter which diagnosis you fall under there is hope. Not surprisingly, many answers are revealed in God's word- The Bible. The Lord clearly states His comfort and protection for us when we are hurting.

"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalms 34:18

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalms 9:9

1. Examine your expectations of the holidays; adjust, minimize and eliminate where you can. Revisit your commitments next year you may be in a better place emotionally and able to resume
   
   
2. Set a budget on holiday spending; stick to it. The cost of a gift is not the goal in giving….giving comes from the heart...not the wallet
   
   
3. Exercise and maintain a balanced diet; this time of year offers many temptations of sweets and overeating, be aware and set limits for yourself. Physical activity is proven to improve your mood; walk, stretch in front of the TV, have the family join in for an exercise video or "dance with the stars"…you might discover a hidden talent or at least enjoy a few laughs
   
   
4. Reach out to others; this may seem like added stress...but truly, the best medicine can often be to show love and kindness to someone else. This allows you to switch the focus from your struggles and take a break from your sadness in an effort to bring joy to someone else. One life principle that is continually stressed in the Bible is to "love your neighbor." I am convinced that God offers us this principle more for our own personal joy and development than for others. Showing love to others can be as simple as preparing baked goods, greeting cards, hot cocoa mix or any other simple gift. Larger acts of kindness can involve volunteering time at a nursing home, a shelter, or organizing a neighborhood social. How you demonstrate love to others is not as important as actually loving; 1 Corinthians 13:8- "Love never fails."

Fortunately, getting "the blues" is temporary. An increased awareness of where and how you are spending your time, energy and money may be enough to guide you through this challenging time of year. If you find that the "blues" feel more like depression and lingers beyond a few weeks then consider counseling and or a comprehensive physical exam to rule out any physical illnesses.

The Lord intended this time of year to be joyous, after all, Christmas does exist as a celebration of the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. May you find the joy the Lord desires for you during this holiday season as you give the gift of love to others and rejoice in God's greatest gift to us; His only son.....Jesus Christ.

It is an often painful fact that our lives seldom go the way we planned. How many of us have the life we pictured at age 20? A well-known quote attributed to Woody Allen says, "if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." Most of us aren't quite that cynical yet it is true that things often don't turn out the way we'd planned.

In Luke 1 we're introduced to two women for whom things undoubtedly did not go as planned. There's Elizabeth (and her husband, Zechariah) who "had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." Being childless in Israel was considered a disgrace. As a woman of that culture she'd have longed for a child; Luke 1:25 confirms that fact. And then there's Mary, who was legally pledged to be married to Joseph, but was not yet married to him. God sent Gabriel to tell her that she would conceive of a son by the Holy Spirit, and she would give birth to the Messiah. Two women for whom life wasn't going as planned. Elizabeth, no doubt, envisioned herself being a mother much earlier in her life. Mary, no doubt, hadn't planned on being a mother quite yet. Both were obedient to God. Elizabeth obeyed in naming her son John despite the protests of relatives. Mary made the timeless statement of obedience: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

The Son she bore was himself obedient, both to his earthly parents--"and he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them" (Luke 2:51)--and to His heavenly Father--"he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8). This was the ultimate act of love and obedience.

Christmas is a beautiful story, and a wonderful time of year. We enjoy the twinkling lights, the bountiful treats, and the gifts that express the joy of relationship. We should not miss, amidst all the trappings, the opportunity, even when things have not gone as planned, to say with Mary, "let it be to me according to your word."

Christmas is almost here. Time to decorate the Christmas tree, bake cookies and shop for presents. The sound of Christmas music can be heard everywhere you turn. But if you listen carefully, you'll hear more than just Christmas carols. You'll hear children crying and "melting down" right and left! Just like adults, children can become stressed at this time of year too.

As parents, we want the holidays to be special and happy for everyone, especially the children. But what many parents fail to remember is that the holiday season can be a time of hustle and bustle...and a never-ending whirlwind of stress for their children.

You can help your children lessen holiday stress by following these tips:

• Remember routines -During the holidays children will often find their routines disrupted. They may be staying at Grandma's house, or traveling long periods of time. They are often dragged along on shopping trips or taken to events over which they have no control. Lack of routine often causes stress for children.
  
  
• Nutrition - It is easy to get out of the routine of healthy eating at this time of year. This is true of adults and children as well. Often, you'll be traveling or celebrating at someone else's home. Remember to help your children eat something healthy, along with those special Christmas treats. Sometimes it may be wise to pack a small "survival" bagged lunch with some of their favorite, healthy foods.
  
  
• Family traditions - Family traditions offer great comfort and security for children when everything in their lives is being disrupted by the holiday season. Remember to create and honor the traditions you've established as a family. Don't let busyness disrupt this important part of a child's life.
  
  
• Limit TV and video games - With no school, and extra time on their hands, it is easy for children to turn to TV and video games for entertainment, especially if Mom and Dad are busy buying and wrapping gifts, addressing Christmas cards, and entertaining guests. Remember that children need physical exercise to help them relieve some of their energy and stress.
  
  
• Attitude check - Children need to be reminded to refocus on what is truly important about the holiday season. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a break from activities and "readjust" the attitude of your family. Make it a family goal to center your attention on the joy and hope that is Christmas.
  
  
• Rest and relaxation - Don't forget to take a "time out" over the holiday season to rest and relax. Remember, everyone is more pleasant to be with when well-rested and relaxed.