Playing Santa for friends and family every year can become quite a chore. We can begin to feel frazzled, pulled in many directions, and lose sight of the meaning of this blessed holy season.

The planning, shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, and attending special events can be overwhelming to even the most capable multi-tasker.

Given the unsettled and stressful times we live in, we need the peace and joy of Christmas more than ever.

In order to cope with the clamor of distractions it helps to sharpen our 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. To see our way clearly we must sharpen our focus on the main job at hand. To experience the peace and joy of Christmas we must adjust our focus onto the Special Person at the center of the festivities, Our Savior Jesus Christ.

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.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6