from flickr

Let‘s be honest:
While Advent and Christmas are made out to be the most romantic, calm and peaceful weeks of the year, reality is quite different: Everyone is busy preparing the festivities, frantically searching for presents and more often than never, a massive family feud finds its start over the holidays.

Being a student of theology and preparing for ordination, I am one of the very few people who try not to lose focus of what Christmas should be all about.

To me, it is often sad to hear that a lot of people do not even know about the biblical story, do no go to church on Christmas Eve (or on any day of the year really) and forget all about the importance of Christmas for the Christian faith.

However, this is not to be a rant about peoples‘ lack of knowledge or ignorance (and I‘m not one of those hardcore Christians, don‘t worry); this is a list of ways to incorporate a little bit of Christmas into the most stressful days of the year and not forget about spending time with your loved ones!

• Take at least one afternoon of from all your engagements to revel in the fun that is baking cookies. They don‘t have to be super-fancy ones that take hours to make; there are tons of easy recipes. If you invite over your friends, it is even more enjoyable. 
(I could do a post on my favourite recipes, maybe? Or we could swap?)

• If you work in an office and have desk space to yourself – why not decorate? There‘s surely some room for a short string of fairy lights or some ornaments and a candle. You could suggest bringing in an advent wreath and meeting up every Monday morning to light the next candle and share cookies over a cup of tea or coffee.

• Pick up the habit of sending out Christmas cards (you might be surprised but it is not a big thing in Germany) and then look forward to receiving some of your own.

• Invite your friends for an afternoon or evening of Christmassy goodness: Everyone can bring their own signature cookies and over a cup of mulled wine or egg nog, pop in a DVD or two to watch Christmas-themed movies, such as The Holiday, Love… Actually or The Muppets Christmas Carol (or any other Christmas movie that tickles your fancy!).

• Find quotes on Christmas or short poems about Christmas, write them on little scraps of paper and leave them lying around where people will find them – whether it is the office, a random café or at home, the Christmas spirit will surely be appreciated anywhere.

What are your Christmas traditions?