About the Author

Anna works full-time for DaySpring from Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and four kids. Anna is the author of A Moment of Christmas and Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul, and she shares the good stuff of the regular, encouraging you to see the ordinary glory in your everyday.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Dear Anna, you are so right! I am already trying to prioritize activities. Today I want to sit and reflect on what’s most important. And I will let the rest go.

  2. Anna,

    I believe the most important thing people can do this season is slow down & think about the birth of Jesus. Imagine a stable full of smelly, loud animals. Envision Mary & Joseph far from home worried yet giving birth right there in that stable. See her putting Jesus in a feeding trough & looking up into a bright night sky with 1 extra bright star shining. Take time to listen to Christmas songs & let those words sink in deeply. Stop the insane rushing around long enough to truly enjoy the season. Candace Cameron wrote an article on how to be Merry. One idea was to rest. Simply taking short breaks throughout the day & be still. God is simply asking us to take time for Him & His only son this season. Remember the reason for this season. The birth of Jesus your savior.

    Blessings 🙂

  3. Many years ago we instituted the 1 thing a week rule. We only added 1 Christmas related celebration/event/party to each week of December. We were amazed how much more worshipful & restful life was. This year is extremely challenging to follow our rule. Seems like everyone is doubling down trying to catch up from lockdown last year and all before Dec 12th! But Jesus first, no killing ourselves to enjoy everything. Thanks for your beautiful encouragement.

  4. I love this so much. My kids are college age which comes with a whole new set of challenges. I have a full time job for the first time in over 22 years. I want to stop. And focus.

    • Oh Kimmie I can relate to part of this — I too recently started a full-time job, my first in thirteen years. It’s been an adjustment for sure. I pray yours is going well, and that you’ll be able to slow down and enjoy the season as you hope to.

  5. Thank you for this reminder! As I start thinking about this coming week my heart started racing and I could feel my ever present anxiety increasing—not because of holiday activities but because of work pressures and money concerns related to how much to reasonably spend on gifts etc. This is an important reminder to keep my focus on God and breathe and it will all work out the way it is meant to be. Thanks so much!

  6. Thanks, Anna, for the encouraging word for busy moms. This is our first Christmas as empty nesters with our daughters too far away for us to get together for Christmas. So I’ve decided to put out a few decorations but not the tree with all that work–and the family ornaments that remind my husband and me of wonderful Christmases past–that at this point, make us sad to think about. Instead, I’m helping my mom decorate her house with everything that she puts out every year, no matter what. And I’m trying to keep my thoughts on what Christmas is really about–the gift of our Messiah.

    To all you moms who are in the crazy holiday season, try to enjoy the excitement and love of having your children with you while you can. 🙂

  7. Good for you, Anna! ‘Love your closing prayer also: “Help us loosen our grip so that we may grasp Your hands.” AMEN! Scaling back the trimmings of the season is such a wise idea, so there’s time for quiet meditation, time to enjoy family activities (games and popcorn by the tree anyone?) and/or read together some of the classic Christmas stories. Another strategy: get the family to help. There’s no rule that says Mom has to do it all!

  8. I ordered several boxes of cards a couple of months ago, I have not received them, just more advertisements in my emails. It hard to figure out how to get in touch with you.