When Your Christmas Plans Go by the Wayside

Yvonne Ortega speaks into women's hearts and minds with truth-laced hope. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she encourages those who find this season a bit of a struggle.

“My new oven doesn’t work," Yvonne said. "The picture tube on the television is dying. I have that intestinal virus again, and it’s Christmas time.”  

This year because of illness, I (Dawn) have my own list of "wayside plans," but I've been encouraged by Christ-followers who keep pointing me back to Jesus. People like Yvonne.

Yvonne continues . . . 

During the Christmas season, I don’t like to rush. That gives me time to enjoy God’s presence and do what I can within reason.

Therefore, after Thanksgiving, I pulled out my planner and scheduled time for writing and speaking projects along with their deadlines.

I also added time for personal tasks, such as decorating the house, sending my annual Christmas newsletter, and Christmas caroling at a local convalescent home.

With my planner in hand, I thought I had everything under control.

I didn’t count on my new oven not working, my new television not being delivered and mounted on the confirmed date, and an intestinal virus hitting me again.

Why did God allow me to spend all that time in my planner when He knew all along what was going to happen?

I’ve learned three things from God’s Word that help me handle the fact that I’m not in charge.

First, I’ve learned that I will finish what I must.

During my quiet time in the sunroom, I complained to my heavenly Father about the oven, the television, and my health. How could I possibly meet ministry deadlines with the chaos in my life?

The Spirit of God within me reminded me of Ephesians 2:10 (NIV), “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God didn’t need my planner and my detailed daily schedule.

God, who prepared good works in advance for me to do, would help me get them done in His perfect time.

Second, I’ve learned to be content with what I have.

• My oven doesn’t work, but the gas stove does.
• I can still cook and warm leftovers on the stove.
• I can heat water for the ginger tea that soothes my stomach.
• The repairman will come to fix the oven.
• I can be content without a television.
• I won’t die because I miss a few movies on the Hallmark American cable television network.
• I have a stack of books to read, electricity, and indoor plumbing.
• Though I don’t yet have a delivery and mounting date for the new television, sooner or later, I will.

Meanwhile, I can meditate on Hebrews 13:5a (NIV), “Be content with what you have.”

That verse is not an invitation, but rather a command.

Third, I've learned to submit to God's will.

My intestinal virus has disrupted my Christmas season. And yet, it pales in comparison to the disruption in the life of Jesus, who left the glory of heaven to be born as a babe in a manger.

Philippians 2:6–8 (NIV) gives me the right perspective on Jesus’ birth. It reads,

“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Good would come from obedience to that humble birth.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

As a Christian woman living after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I can call on Jesus any time. He doesn’t have office hours. I can ask him for his wise counsel, power, endurance, and perfect peace. He will listen and understand me.

At the same time, I will submit to God’s will as Jesus did. I will be a servant to my heavenly Father God as Jesus was. 

What will you do when your plans go by the wayside at Christmas time?

Yvonne Ortega walks with a small footprint but leaves a giant imprint in people’s lives. This power-packed package is an award-winning international speaker and the author of the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Series through cancer, divorce, forgiveness, and loss. Learn more at www.YvonneOrtega.com. Yvonne’s background as a professional counselor brings a unique perspective into the heart of women. She’s also a speaking and writing coach. Yvonne celebrates life at the beach, where she walks, builds sand castles, blows bubbles, and dances.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Jess Watters, Plush Design Studio, at Pixabay.

5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Holidays

The first thing I learned about Marcia Ramsland is, she cares about people. The second thing I learned is, because she cares, she creates constructive ways to help them. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she encourages us to jumpstart our holiday preparations so we can experience peace at Christmas and not stress.

“If you do anything more than once in life,” Marcia says, “organize it and simplify it. That’s especially true for the holidays that come year after year like clockwork!”

I (Dawn) have learned so many things from reading Marcia's books, and appreciate this approach ... because they work!

Marcia continues . . .

After staying up late Christmas Eve to wrapping presents for years, I finally figured out “The Holiday Plan” to simplify the whole season! Now we all get a good night’s sleep at Christmas.

You can, too!

To get you started on the right foot for the busy Holiday Season, here are “5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Holidays.”

1) Look Ahead and Mark Your Calendar.

Mark family celebration dates, guests coming, vacation days, holiday parties, church concerts, plays, and annual holiday events you enjoy. Post the calendar where you can see it regularly—like in your kitchen.

This is a unique time of year you need especially good planning skills.

2) Schedule 2 Hour Segments of Weekly Holiday “Prep” Time.

Schedule weekly shopping time online or in the mall, cleaning house, decorating. Schedule Thursday nights for shopping, Saturday for baking and decorating, and Sunday afternoon for wrapping presents.

3) Write a Master Gift List on One Form.

Pull out your gift list from last year to create a duplicate. Don't have one? Download my annual  FREE Master Gift List  to stay organized with your ideas, purchases, and budgets. Use it every year to keep your ideas organized.

4) Make the Most of Your Limited Time.

Combine your limited social time by inviting friends to an upcoming event and getting together for dinner ahead of time or dessert afterwards.

Create a memory on one night instead of two.

5) Sort Your Holiday Decorations Early.

Sort your Holiday decorations when you put them up the first weekend in December.

Immediately donate what you don’t put up to a charity so you can help someone else have a light and bright Christmas.

Planning is powerful! And with a good plan and your eye on the calendar, you can simplify your holiday season. Every year over 800 people download my week-by-week holiday planning calendars and Master Gift List to put in the front pocket of their Holiday planning book, Simplify Your Holiday Season (see book link, below).

Instead of playing “catch-up” and feeling stressed, you will experience freedom and calm.

This year with your advanced planning you can say—like the angelic heavenly host who praised God when they appeared to the shepherds—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:13-14).

Be sure to bring the Lord into the midst of your holiday preparations.

You might pray:

Dear God, today as I work on preparing my heart and home for Christmas, may I reflect on the events of the first Christmas and find strength in knowing you have a special plan for my holidays this year. I ask you turn my mental chaos into calm with your presence every day. Amen!

What will you do better this year to ease the stress of the holiday season?

Marcia Ramsland is known as The Holiday Coach, author of “Simplify Your Holiday Season” planning book and “Simply December Devotions” devotional. Download your FREE Holiday Planning Calendar and Master Gift List and join her weekly Monday Holiday Class at www.OrganizingPro.com/holidays.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of morguefile.