Christmas is upon us, and after you read this, you’ll likely be wrapping gifts, mailing and receiving cards, and making plans for your Christmas feast. I’m grateful to be part of a community where Christ remains the center of all the festivities.

Meanwhile, the news is filled with reports of “record-breaking” spending, “record-breaking” crowds, “record-breaking” online shopping, and on and on. And yet, we see reports about concerns over prices.

Is there no year we don’t supposedly experience “record-breaking” shopping or “record-breaking” travel on the roads and in the sky?

When I watch stranded travelers being interviewed on TV and view photos of a tsunami of humanity rushing to buy goodies, I’m always glad I’m not in the middle of the mess.

This doesn’t mean I don’t buy any gifts or celebrate holidays, on the specified days, with people I love. I do. I just set boundaries and limit my activities and celebrations to what I love to do and entertain people I want to be with. Another de-stressor I’ve employed is to schedule some parts of the celebration for different times of the year. After all, we are Christians all year, not just on Christmas and Easter.

These changes have helped me relish each moment of the celebration. I feel as though I have not a care in the world. My wish for you is the same.

May the Lord grant you peace throughout the Christmas season and beyond.

Merry Christmas!