Two Simple Steps to Transform Christmas Get-Togethers

Step 1: Gut check your negative tendency

Most of us care about being kind and positive, especially at the holidays … but the holidays don’t magically eliminate our blind spot about just how often we are critical, exasperated, unengaged, or exhibiting a host of other unfortunate tendencies. Imagine for a minute what would happen if we came into Christmas gatherings with our antennae up about our own behavior, rather than the behavior of others. Seriously. Read that sentence again and think about what that would look like.

So, the critical comment you want to make about the seating arrangements? Don’t do it. Your irritation with your brother for slipping food to the dog? Just let Fido feast. Your desire to call out the family member who had one job (and it was the easiest one – grab ice on the way) and forgot? Smile, extend grace, and fill the glasses with room temperature water like that was your plan all along.

When we are willing to lay down our rights, hurts, and critical spirits, and extend to others what the Bible calls loving-kindness, it completely changes the situation. And guess what? It changes us, too.