The holidays can be extremely stressful (gifts, family, travel, memories…), so we’d like to encourage you to manage your stress by keeping things simple. You don’t have to live up to everyone else’s expectations for Christmas! Most of the stress is self-imposed by things you “have to do” — but many of those things are completely optional. For example, Sexy Corte and I decided long ago that we aren’t going to send out a thousand Christmas cards to everyone we know. Pick a few traditions you want for your family and prioritize those, then let go of the rest.

When you simplify a bit, you’ll have more energy and sanity to enjoy the time with your family, kids, and spouse, as well as to meditate on the True Meaning of Christmas. Remember that Jesus didn’t come to earth just to be a baby, he came to die on the cross for the sins of mankind and then come back to life to conquer death for all eternity.

May you all have a joyful and simple Christmas!