At the heart of the Advent season is this idea of waiting for the \u201ccoming.\u201d As moms with our littles, we wait with anticipation for the coming of the gift of Christmas morning, but we all know that the show or the business of Christmas can often overwhelm the true spirit of it.<\/p>\n
What do we need to let go in order to make room for love – the only thing that truly matters this season? What \u201cChristmas mic\u201d can you drop so you and your kiddos can experience more love in the waiting? I recently asked a few moms and dads about traditions they\u2019ve let go of in order to make more room for love. Here are a few of their thoughts:<\/p>\n
Christmas Cards<\/strong> – Just because you\u2019ve always done something doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t start a new tradition of not sending cards. I don\u2019t put that pressure on myself or my family. If it\u2019s too expensive or too stressful, let it go.<\/em> – Jill<\/p>\n Christmas Lists <\/strong>– We stopped having our children write Christmas lists or circle images of toys they like in magazines. The lists helped my in-laws, but it bred a \u201cgetting\u201d spirit in my kids. <\/em><\/p>\n – Summer<\/p>\n Countless Traditions \u2013<\/em><\/strong> I let go of all of the daily Advent activities, beyond reading one Advent book each day. Every time we added a child to our family, those daily things became more stressful.<\/em> – Leslie \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Comprehensive (Extended Family) Gifts \u2013 <\/em><\/strong>Instead of giving to every extended family member, we draw names. Some years, we don\u2019t exchange gifts at all.<\/em> – <\/strong>Holly<\/p>\n Crowds \u2013<\/em><\/strong> The best thing we did was set aside a half day (away from everyone else) for just the five of us. Breakfast. Bible. Presents. Relaxing. It\u2019s been great.<\/em> – Matt<\/p>\n Comparison <\/strong>\u2013 I struggle with depression, anxiety and chronic illness which doesn\u2019t go away even for the holidays. I stop comparing my experiences to other\u2019s experiences, and let go of the pressure to be jolly all the time. I need to be OK with the amount of joy that\u2019s in my heart. It may just not look like everyone else\u2019s.<\/em> – Carrie.<\/p>\n Certainly, don\u2019t let go of anything that brings you joy, but if it\u2019s increasing your stress instead of adding love to your Advent experience, give yourself permission to let it go and drop the crazy Christmas mic.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Aubrey Sampson is the author of Overcomer: Breaking Down the Walls of Shame and Rebuilding Your Soul <\/em>and an upcoming book on lament and hope. Aubrey travels the country teaching at churches. She and her husband, Kevin, and their three boys are church planters in the Chicago area, where Aubrey serves on the teaching and preaching team.<\/p>\n