For some busy families, Christmas has become a stressful season — frenzied shopping trips for “the perfect gift,” elaborate decorations, entertainment obligations.

But more and more families are taking steps to simplify the holiday by deciding to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

“The perfect holiday is a myth. So many people assume that doing more, eating more, drinking more and spending more will lead to greater happiness on Christmas,” says Sister Edna Michel, part of the leadership team for the Sisters of St. Francis at Tiffin. “Obviously, it’s not true.”
 

Remembering the origins of the season makes for a more meaningful experience, she believes.

“We should remember that the whole point of Christmas has to do with God becoming poor for our sake,” she says. “It doesn’t have to do with trying to impress others with how rich we are or how good we are or even how generous we are.”

Sr. Michel suggests setting realistic expectations for the holiday season. “Practice moderation and enjoy activities that don’t cost anything.”

Taking a drive to enjoy local displays of Christmas lights, making the choice of a Christmas tree a family activity, spending time together to plan and wrap simple gifts — these can all be ways for families to take the emphasis off commercialization and bring the focus back to the true spirit of Christmas, she says.

Mothers often carry the burden of finding the perfect gift, planning activities and making all sorts of holiday treats, she comments. “They can’t do everything,” she says, “especially if they’re working full or part time.”

Instead of stressing over the perfect holiday, Sr. Michel suggests families focus on spending time together.

“If we’re really honest with ourselves, we are the poor ones receiving Christ,” she says. “It’s about recognizing most of all that we should celebrate the gift of Jesus. Out of that humility, we should share the little gifts we have with each other.

Sometimes we turn it around and we’re giving things almost as a way of proving of how generous we are,” she says, and people can get caught up in the whirlwind of good intentions.

“Santa Claus needs to be reminded that gifts say ‘I love you’ and it doesn’t have to be repeated 100 times,” she adds.

Father Edward Littelmann of Toledo St. Clement also advises people to take a look at their holiday celebrations to ensure they are focusing on the right message.

He says this season has probably always been hectic even since ancient times “simply for its celebrational character.” He explains Christians adopted the celebration of the winter solstice — the natural return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere — as the time to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

“Christians decided they could adopt the moment for the celebration of the birth — the coming of a new light — of their Lord,” he says. “If we can allow this new light to cast its rays on our everyday lives, we possibly may be able to gain a deeper, richer view of the texture our lives are meant to have. But I really do think we have to work at this. It doesn’t come naturally.”

He says Christians should step back and re-examine their faith as they prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

“With eyes of faith,” he says, “we can see the real reason for our celebration. If we keep this perspective, then we can avoid having to top our own or another’s previous efforts — or going crazy to get just the right gift.”

Fr. Littelmann warns some people may be so caught up in the commercialization of the Christmas season they don’t understand a Christian’s decision to simplify.

“Our keeping this perspective may not always be understood well by the people we are trying to please,” he says. “But this gives us a wonderful chance for a ‘teachable moment’ — a chance to simply say, ‘I love you very much for being part of my life and letting me see Jesus in you.’ ”

Fr. Littelmann also says focusing on the true meaning of Christmas allows people to highlight the important parts of their faith.

“That new light on things can guide you through the stores, the thoughts, the planning, the parties and through the whole season well into the new year,” he says. “And you’ll enjoy bringing a whole lot of loving people along with you. Let the real Light keep you calm.”

Deacon Stanley Gogel, who serves at Toledo St. Adalbert and St. Hedwig parishes, says his family has set limits on Christmas celebrations for a practical reason. “We have nine children so we restrict everything,” he says. “We don’t buy a lot of commercial things.

“I agree with the simplification of Christmas,” he adds. “We don’t use Santa Claus at all in our household. We come home from Mass and have our own celebration.”

The Gogel family and several friends decided one year to send out cards after rather than before Christmas.

“All the hype is before, so it’s a reminder that it’s not over then,” he says. “It was just to remind people that the miracle of Christmas is not over.”

For other practical ideas focusing on faith and family at Christmas visit http://christianity.about.com/od/Christmas/a/
lessstressholid.htm.