Instead of getting carried away in states like these, a neutral option is to focus on sharing small things with the family or couple so that we can learn in communion the benefits of the Lord's love.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7

Let us avoid succumbing to the pressure of haste and consumerist stress. Instead of getting carried away by states like these, a neutral option is to focus on sharing small things with the family or couple in a calm and leisurely manner. The ideal would be to consume without overspending and excessive materialism that provide us with ephemeral and deceptive happiness.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew 1:22-23

Taking stock of the year is always a good exercise, which is why we must focus on positive experiences lived and what we have learned, even from so-called failures or adversities. Taking a good balance will allow us to assess everything that happened in a more productive and profitable way. We will see that failures are not so bad and we will learn from those experiences.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Luke 2:4-5

Faced with a family conflict, we must calm down and find the answer in God. During the Christmas meetings, there may be frictions, discussions, or fights between relatives, and let us remember that we can face such moments with listening, reflection, and optimism. Let's try to squeeze out all the good that those moments can have that, although they seem bad, have positive things.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

When we spend the first Christmas without a loved one because they have passed away, we should try to assume very firmly that it is a reality that is not within the power of anyone to solve. If we want to extract some positive part, we could think that death is the greatest lesson of detachment that God can give us and that people who have lived it closely have obtained large doses of detachment, neutrality, gratitude, and happiness, becoming pure life, with a greater capacity for appreciation and acceptance.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

It is interesting to face those moments that our children experience when opening gifts in a grateful way, without being carried away by nostalgia or depression when they cease to exist, as well as we must also be careful not to fall into the ostentation that consumerism encourages, appreciations that lead us away from the path of Christ.