Belmont University Advent GuideSample

Right before Christmas Day it is easy to become stressed and overwhelmed with last-minute shopping, decorating, baking, and getting all those last-minute holiday pieces put into place. It seems everyone is in a hurry, traffic around shopping centers is worse than awful, and many people become grouchy and forget the purpose of the holiday. I admit I am guilty of this myself and it is easy to lose self-control and place blame on the holiday itself rather than focusing on the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

When I find myself stressed and frustrated, I think about Jesus and reflect on how he might act in my place. Jesus was placed under stress many times, yet he focused on the importance of his future purpose. For example, Luke 22.39–53 details the time when Jesus was betrayed by Judas with a kiss. Despite the fear, anger, and upheaval surrounding him, Jesus stopped the violence and maintained peace and righteousness. Jesus knew the events to come were more important than the current stressors and showed love even in tumultuous times.

The scripture further discusses the importance of maintaining goodness, self-control, and love for those around us. 2 Peter 1 says we should: "Add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." (2 Peter 1.5–7)

So as I am out in traffic, standing in line at registers, decorating and making sure everything is as I want it to be this year, I plan to focus on what is really important. My focus will be on the coming of Christ at Christmas and the resurrection and future coming of Christ.

Let us all remember to be great examples of Christ and show kindness and compassion to one another despite all that is happening around us this season.

I plan to do this even in traffic this year.

Merry Christmas!

Janet Hicks
Director, Mental Health Counseling