Christmas 2025 Self Care

My Last Week’s Christmas Message encouraged you to Rest—Take some Time.

This week, I’m going to go into a little more detail.

It’s a little late to remind us, Plan for Christmas “to-do’s” so our holiday won’t be so hectic.

But it’s not too late to say, let some of those things go!  Some of the things that you truly want to do… but haven’t done yet, and now you’re in a time crunch.  Give yourself a break.  Let those things go.

Don’t have cards mailed?  Forget about it.  Send a note for New Years’… or after the new year, even.

Don’t have your tree up yet?  Just decide to be satisfied with putting a few simple decorations on some tables, or on your eating table.  Or maybe you could recruit some help from a young person in your circle.

Don’t have that baking done that you had planned to do for some miscellaneous people in your life?  Let it go!  They will still be ok with you.  People don’t feel the need to receive gifts like we think they do… it’s usually us that feels the need to give.  Give your time and care… not necessarily a gift.

Have parties to go to, but don’t have the energy?  Unless you really would LOVE to go (or unless it’s required for some reason), just stay home.  If you have to go, leave as early as practical.  Try to get home in time to take a bit of time for some peaceful relaxation before bed.

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How valuable are you?

What do you do for yourself?

Are you kind to people, in general?  My guess is that you are. 

I wonder how your life would be if you were just that kind to yourself.

Are you worth it?

What if you started right now taking more time and care for yourself?

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If you don’t even consider this being the Christmas season, do you realize what a little bit of (regular) rest and care can do for you, physically?

You can lose weight…

You can normalize your blood numbers…

You can reduce your A1C…

You can reduce your high blood pressure…

And… you will feel sooo much better!  You can have peace and calm in your life.  Plus so many more benefits.  Your life will change.

It’s not an instant thing to learn.  You have to start with how you feel inside.  You must actually care about you.  That may be your hurdle.  So if that’s an issue, you might as well get that figured out and decide to realize how valuable you are.

And according to our main source, we each are valuable.  We’re all made as an individual unique personal identity that is for the purpose of living our lives as God has set before us.  We are each valuable for our own purpose that God has prepared us for.

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Caring for yourself really has very little to do with facials and manicures.

What if caring for yourself meant:

1.     Eating food that doesn’t inflame your body and mind…

2.     Going to bed earlier instead of scrolling…

3.     Giving your body the exercise it needs to help all your body systems to work like they’re supposed to.  If nothing else, just play some music you like and dance around at home by yourself.  It’ll lift your heart.

4.     Set boundaries for yourself.  Decide where you want boundaries in your life, and decide you’ll stick to those as a goal for yourself.

5.     Allow yourself to say “no” to things that you really, really want to say “no” to.

6.     Allow yourself to make mistakes, and be ok with that.  Treat yourself well.  Give yourself Grace.

Do you know you are responsible for keeping yourself alive and well?

Take on that responsibility.  And LOVE YOURSELF.

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There is one more thing, that’s actually the most important, to have rest and peace in your life.  Ask God to help you… but trust Him…. He loves us more than we can even imagine, and He wants us to be at peace.  And it’s all in His Presence. So we want His Presence with us.

God does actively give us rest; He leads us to peace, and He refreshes our souls.

Give yourself a gift this Christmas.  So… reach out to God.  And give yourself Kindness.  Love.

It will result in peace… and you will feel so much better about your life!  Oh… And your family and friends will appreciate your peace.  You will actually be able to enjoy them more during this Christmas season—and they will enjoy your presence.  What a gift that is.

Merry Christmas, to you!!

Sharon

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… you will find rest for your souls.

Hebrews 4:9-10

There remains then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.

Exodus 33:14

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.