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DECEMBER

Looking for some ideas to spice up your families Christmas Celebrations? Check out these ideas:

★ Make decorating a family activity

★ Watch Christmas movies

★ Attend special Christmas Services

★ Start a tradition with Christmas Eve/Day meals

★ Drive around looking at Christmas lights

★ Visit a Nursing Home★ Bake Christmas cookies together

★ Go Ice Skating★ Make a scrapbook

Whatever you decide to do - do it together with your family. You will be thankful for the time you spend together and the memories you make.

FAMILY IDEAS FOR THE

CHRISTMAS SEASON

PARENTLIN

K

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GO DEEPER

8 WAYS TO PRESSURE PROOF YOUR CHRISTMASHow to protect you and your family from Holiday stress Have you ever felt like a hamster caught on a spinning wheel when it comes to celebrating the holidays?  I sure have. When I asked some friends what they do to prevent stress around the holidays one told me, “The last three out of four years I ended up sick over Christmas. I honestly don't know if there is a way to reduce holiday stress when your life is already full and busy and then you add in all the holiday stuff. When I think of December I think ugh!” Another said, “So much is expected of us, even when we have a full-time job. I would love to go see special Christmas musicals, drive to places that have pretty lights, but we rarely have time.”

Can you identify? What should be one of the most special times of the year is often packed with unrealistic demands that wreak havoc on relationships— between husbands and wives, parents and their grown children, singles and those they love. And what about the annual questions: Where will we spend the Christmas holidays? Who will be

coming over for dinner? How much should we spend on presents this year? And when you throw in the in-laws and their expectations for the holidays, too often you have a recipe for S-T-R-E-S-S. What’s a person to do? A colleague said, “After many years, I have just learned to roll with the punches and know that this, too, shall pass.”

When you flip the pages of the calendar to November and December, do you do it with that same “This, too, shall pass” feeling of resignation? Here are eight tips to protect you, your marriage relationship, and your family from holiday pressure:

FOUR DO’S1. Pray. Feeling holiday stress, many years ago Kit enlisted God’s help. She sensed Him saying, Trust me with your celebrations. Give me your hopes and dreams for this special time of year. I know your needs. Allow me to fill them. And every year since, Kit has begun the holiday season with a prayer that reminds her to entrust the season

the Lord. Another friend told me that she asks God for spiritual protection during the holidays. While she and her family center Thanksgiving and Christmas around their God-given blessings and the birth of Christ, many in her extended family do not. She realizes that family disagreements can easily crop up during the holidays. That’s why she prays for spiritual protection. She also prays that she will respond in a godly way when loved ones don’t understand her family’s Christian faith. She asks, “Lord, guard my mouth constantly.”

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

2. Plan. Jillian and her husband ease holiday stress by planning. They decide where they will spend the holidays as much in advance as possible. “By doing this,” she says, “loved ones can “process and get used to our plan and that protects against hurt/disappointed feelings.”

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Naoma says: “The more that can be done ahead of time in small bits over longer periods of time, the more manageable and enjoyable the season.”

Those who plan peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20b

3. Determine realistic expectations and communicate them clearly. When Trena looked at her December to-do list, she felt a knot in her stomach. How could she get everything done? Then she heard a radio program about the holidays and realized that she was the cause of her own stress. “I lowered my expectations of myself and the festivities and focused more on the true meaning of Christmas than on the gifts that I gave.” Jillian had to learn to face unrealistic holiday expectations from extended family. When communicating with loved ones about plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, she says, “Be graceful. Be firm. Be clear.”

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all

your plans succeed.  Psalm 20:4 NIV

4. Discuss holiday plans with your spouse. Do you tend to overcommit yourself? I do. Jillian says she only replies to invitations after consulting with her husband. For example, if her mother invites the family over for a holiday meal, Jillian tells her, “I have to discuss this with Kyle. I will let you know something soon.” It’s so easy to overcommit when spouses don’t consult with one another about holiday requests. But we can pressure-proof the calendar by keeping priorities straight during the holidays.

Without counsel plans fail.  Proverbs 15:22a

FOUR DON’TS1. Don’t forget the reasons for the holiday season. How many of us seem to forget to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because we are caught up in the trappings of the season? When Jenny’s children were younger, her family always had a birthday party for Jesus, inviting other children to come. One Christmas her son agreed to sing a song in front of a large group of women. “I knew he would be terrified,” Jenny says. So she talked with him about giving Jesus his song as a gift—“to remind the ladies that Christmas was Jesus’ birthday.”  He agreed and sang his heart out. By focusing on the real reasons for the holidays, we can relax. Christmas is not about travel, or parties, or presents. Instead it offers opportunities to pull away from the hectic pace of life long enough to thank God for His blessings and to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ.  

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.  Isaiah 9:6a

2. Don’t try to please everyone.  Making everyone happy during the holidays is an impossible dream. A friend, who will be eight months pregnant this December, told me that she was feeling stress because loved ones want her husband and her to drive 10 hours to be with them on Christmas Day. Her husband told her, “Let’s just do what’s best for us.” They plan to stay home. Her response: “Kudos to him!”

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Galatians 1:10a

3. Don’t overbuy.  A recent Gallup Poll said American shoppers estimate they will spend an average of $712 each on Christmas gifts this year. Many of us can’t afford that much. Too often the joy of unwrapping presents in December is replaced with the stress of paying the bills in January. Sheila avoids going into debt during the holidays

by shopping for Christmas presents all year long. Cindy’s family members put the names of adults in a basket. Then, each adult draws only one name to buy for, setting a $25 limit. “It really helped financially,” she says.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. … it is the gift of God.  Ephesians

2:8

4. Don’t try to do everything. There’s something comforting about traditions, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. But can family

traditions become a source of stress? I have only to look in the

mirror at myself to answer that question: Yes! Let’s face it: People are different. Recognizing this, and relaxing with the differences, can ease holiday pressure—both inside and outside the home.  Sometimes visions of homemade Christmas decorations, gingerbread houses, helping the needy, cutting a fresh tree, etc., dance through my head—so our family can have the “perfect Christmas.” But there’s a problem: People in the same family often value traditions differently. What’s comforting for one may actually be stressful or totally meaningless for another. Deb suggests talking with your spouse and each child about what makes the holiday special for them. Keep the most meaningful traditions, and discard the rest. 

Let us know among ourselves what is good.   Job 34:4b

This year, let’s not spin our wheels when it comes to Christmas. With a little planning and preparation, love, peace and joy won’t just be words on a holiday greeting card.  May we all relax when we flip the pages of the calendar to the new year, looking forward to what it will bring … especially during the next season of holidays!

Written by Mary May Larmoyeux:Mary is an experienced speaker and writer frequently writing for Family Life Today

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JR HIGH MINISTRYJR High Growth Groups meet Sunday

Mornings at 9:30 am in the Life Center. If students are not presently involved in a Growth Group - they can attend the JR High Large Group at 9:30 am in the Cafe area.

Prep for Cafe Breakfast is Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Interested Students need to sign up @ the Registration Area on Sunday’s & Wednesday’s. Breakfast @ Cafe is Sunday, December 4 from 7:00 am - 11:00 am.

JR High Girls Growth Group Party is Saturday, December 10 @ 6:00 pm at the home of Becky Williams. Parents should drop off their students at Becky’s home and return for pick up at 10:00 pm

JR High Christmas Party is Saturday, December 17 beginning at 6:00 pm. All JR High Students should meet at the Life Center by 6:00 pm to head out into Wilmington - ending up at Pastor Shane’s house. Students will need money for fast food.

SR HIGH MINISTRYPrep for Cafe Breakfast is Saturday,

December 3rd from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Interested Students need to sign up @ the Registration Area on Sunday’s & Wednesday’s. Breakfast @ Cafe is Sunday, December 4 from 7:00 am - 11:00 am.

SR High Christmas Party is Friday December 16 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Life Center. SR High students are invited to meet in the Life Center Rooms 204-206. Students should bring a wrapped gift worth $10.

SR High Christmas Caroling is Thursday December 22 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. SR High students should come dressed warmly and prepared to leave the Life Center at 6:00 pm sharp. Cost will be $4.00 per person

SR High Trip to Mike’s Farm is Friday, December 30th from 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Students should meet at the Life Center and wear warm clothing for the evening. Ticket cost is $12 for person plus fast food money

NORTHSIDE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Children’s Musical: The Great Christmas Giveaway - Sunday, December 11 @ 6:00 pm.

Adult Choir Celebration: Candlelight Christmas - Experiencing Christmas Through Memories - Sunday, December 18 @ 6:00 pm

Christmas Sunday Worship Celebration: Christmas Day services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am. (No Growth Groups meeting at all on campus)

CHRISTMAS STUDENT SERMON SERIES

Celebrate the birth of Christ from His crib to ours. The crib of Christ is a powerful force. When called to the crib, we have a critical choice to make. This series begins Wednesday, Dec 7 @ 6:30 pm during our Student Night Service.

IN THE LOOP -Not getting all the details of Northside’s Student Ministry events from your Student? See below for details of Upcoming Activities.

Shane BectonNorthside Student Pastorsbecton@enorthside.org 910-599-2903

www.enorthside.org

Visit Us Online Today• Event Calendar• Sermon Podcast• Ministry Details• Sign Up for Text Updates• Membership 101 Information• Meet Our Staff

NORTHSIDE STUDENTS2501 North College Rd Wilmington, NC 28405 (910)791-6053

Contact our Student Ministry Office today to recieve a free Welcome Packet

including an interactive Student Ministry CD.

MondayDec. 19th 6-9 pm

Vanderhaar’s Pool !!!