The holiday season is approaching: Five tips for finding peace during Christmas

Instead of getting swept away by stress and anxiety, a balanced approach is to focus on sharing simple moments with family or a partner, allowing us to learn together about the blessings of the Lord's love.

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn." Luke 2:6-7

Let's avoid succumbing to the pressures of haste and consumer stress. Rather than getting caught up in these states, a neutral option is to focus on sharing small moments with family or a partner in a calm and serene manner. Ideally, we should consume without overspending on unnecessary and excessive materialism that offers fleeting 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 Emmanuel, which means God with us." Matthew 1:22-23

Reflecting on the past year is always a valuable exercise. We should focus on the positive experiences we've had and what we've learned, even from so-called failures or challenges. A thorough reflection allows us to appreciate everything that has happened in a more productive and beneficial way. We'll see that failures aren't so bad and can provide valuable lessons.

"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

In the face of family conflicts, we should remain calm and seek answers in God. During Christmas gatherings, there may be tensions or disagreements among relatives. We should approach these moments with listening, reflection, and optimism, trying to extract the good from situations that may seem negative but have positive aspects.

"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

Spending the first Christmas without a loved one who has passed away can be challenging. We should firmly accept that this is a reality beyond anyone's control. If we wish to find something positive, we might consider that death is the greatest lesson in detachment that God can offer, and those who have experienced it closely have gained significant detachment, neutrality, gratitude, and happiness, becoming more alive 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's important to approach the moments when our children open their gifts with gratitude, avoiding nostalgia or sadness when they are no longer there. We should also be cautious not to fall into the ostentation that consumerism promotes, as these attitudes can lead us away from the path of Christ.