Playing Santa for friends and family every year can become quite a chore. When daily life has to go on, as well, a woman can begin to feel frazzled and pulled in many directions.

Although I, like many women, take pride in being a multi-tasker, at this time of year the planning, shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating and attending special events sometimes leaves me feeling like one of those Christmas pageant camels…but one with a broken back from one too many straws.

At times like this I find that it helps to get up a few minutes early or stay up a few minutes late, or steal some time somewhere,  to sharpen my life’s focus.

If you have ever taken a photo of a large group then you know how difficult it can be to keep each person in focus. But if you are taking a photo of one special person in the group the task becomes easy…you put that one particular face in the center and adjust the lens until only that one is clear.

Life is like that. If every task has equal importance then no one job gets our best efforts. Taken one at a time, as if the project at hand were the only item on your “To Do” list, makes life manageable.

So if you are feeling stressed these days, take a few moments to breathe deeply, center your thoughts on the One whose birth we celebrate and let him help you set your priorities so that you can get through this season with  peace and joy.