Christmas As We Are Now

Our Kind of Christmas: What We Keep, What We’ve Let Go

The past few holiday seasons have asked a lot of us.

There have been challenges that made Christmas feel heavier than usual — health issues, family crises, and the kind of losses that quietly change how a season feels. Last year, life felt overwhelming at times, yet the calendar kept moving forward and the holidays arrived all the same.

I have always loved tradition. I want the tree in the same spot, the familiar foods that take me back to when our children were small, and the wall filled with Christmas cards from friends and family. There is comfort in sameness, especially during a season built on memory.

But there comes a point when we have to gently meet ourselves where we are now.

Change - even when it brings growth or new beginnings - is still a stressor. Aging, health, finances, shifts in family life, loss and even joyful additions all ask something of us. Time moves on, and we do our best to adjust.

We 

 That doesn’t mean forgetting what came before. It means carrying forward what still brings meaning — choosing the traditions, moments, and gestures that help us celebrate both the season and the quiet, everyday miracles within it.

These days, I’m doing less of the cooking and shopping. I’m slower to begin new projects and less interested in rushing around trying to make everything perfect for everyone. I still collect ideas — saving recipes, décor, and inspiration — but I pause now and ask a few gentle questions before jumping in: Do I have the energy for this? Will it truly be used and enjoyed? Does it add calm or pressure?

That small pause has made room for something better.

Traditions We’re Keeping 

• Hanging Christmas lights outside — because light matters when days are short and nights are long
• Decorating with a tree, wreaths, and garlands — bringing nature and familiar beauty indoors
• Sharing special meals — food that nourishes not just the body, but connection and conversation
• Setting up our crèches and lighting Advent candles - grounding reminders of what the season is truly about.

Changes We’ve Made

• Being more flexible about holiday plans — we no longer try to do everything
• Slowing down enough to notice the small things: music playing in the background, quiet moments, hugs, and time together

It turns out those aren’t small things at all. They are the heart of the season.

I wish you a holiday season that meets you where you are — whatever that looks like this year — and a year ahead filled with peace, joy and good health.