Preparing for the Holidays: "Slow Down"

A long time ago (not that long ago, but it seems that way for me) I did a series featuring the book Queen of the Castle.  I thought since baby is here (I'm scheduling these posts out) that I'd recap the holiday part of the book.  So every Wednesday you'll get some great tips on prepping your heart and home for the holidays.

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This week's chapter in Queen of the Castle is titled "Slow Down".  Lynn, the author, suggests "slowing down this Christmas.  Slow it down by praying over which Christmas activities we should participate in."  No matter how much we try to prepare things get crazy and busy and crazy-busy!  As you can imagine with a new baby and the Christmas approaching I'm in the middle of crazy-busy right now!

Here are some suggestions from Lynn to "Slow it Down!"

*Spend a few minutes outside, bundled up against the cold.


*Make Christmas music as a family.  If anyone plays an instrument (even badly), bring it out.  Sing some carols.

*Work on a holiday jigsaw puzzle.

*Pull out holiday videos or photos from years past and reminisce.

*If you happen to be awake between 1 and 3 a.m. on December 12, check out the meteors in the night sky.  Look south to see the Geminid shower of fifty to eighty meteors per hour. (I read that the 14th is peak for this.)

*Stare into the fire and spend some silent, thankful moments thinking about all God has done for you.

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"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  

Isaiah 41:10