Do you want to know the best preparation for Happy Holidays with your extended family?
Learn the fine art of overlooking slights and offenses.

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
William James

Family isn’t always easy.
The holidays sometimes introduce added stress that can cause our emotional edges to fray a little.
We expend a lot of extra time and energy in preparations, travel, and trying to make it all perfect.
But it only takes a minute, an offhand remark, a perceived slight, and you wish you were anywhere else but there.
The brother-in-law that brags about his promotion, the aunt that couches criticism in helpful parenting advice, or a sibling you have never really gotten along with can make the day an ordeal instead of a celebration.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8

Thanksgiving is just 12 days away and Christmas is 39 days from now.
It’s not too soon to begin praying about the gatherings you’ll be a part of.
Pray for the family and friends you plan to share each day with.

Ask God specifically to make it joyous and blessed.
Let Him begin the work in your heart of gratitude and a genuine Christmas joy that will overflow when you actually get together with your family to celebrate. Think about how you can be a blessing to each of them.

Before you get swept up in the decorations, shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, and caroling, get your heart ready for the holidays. Get filled up with love and joy and patience.
You’ll be glad you started now.