It’s beginning to look a lot like….arghhhhh!!!...Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the festive season.

This week I have had a week off work but been as busy as ever. So on Saturday I was performing at the Victorian Christmas Fayre in the Deaf Direct Choir; and then I had three Christmas parties. And when I return to work there will be a whole lot of Christmassy stuff going on as well as my normal day job and at least five funerals.

So if, like me, there is a bit of anxiety building up, then here are my top tips for having a de-stressed and not a distressed Christmas.

First of all, BREATHE. I know it sounds easy but give it a go. Sit comfy in your chair, place your feet on the floor. Now take a deep breath in. And out. And again, this time noticing the breath as it goes in and out. Try it now (but finish reading this first!). Don’t rush.

Secondly, TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME. Jesus said each day has enough worries of its own. That’s true. And you only have to tackle each thing as it comes up. Thinking about all the other things you have to do will only hamper doing the thing you need to do in the present moment.

And finally, a thought which brings me back to the signing choir on Saturday. DON’T MISS THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS.

Funnily enough that was the title of one of the songs we performed. The gist is that there is so much busy-ness and rushing around that we are in danger of not seeing the wood for the trees. For some people the heart of Christmas will be time with family or catching up with old friends; for some it will be the wonder of seeing excited children. For me it is both of these and the Christian story of the birth of Jesus; God coming to be one of us. And if I was to miss some of the trinkets and trivia out of the season, the world would keep turning. So don’t miss the heart of Christmas.