We are called to a life of peace, not stress. Facing the anxiousness that often accompanies the Christmas season begins by deliberately choosing to battle against stress, to guard the things and relationships that matter most to us. The first step to this is approaching God in prayer, with a thankful heart. When we do this, God then replaces our worry and anxiety with His perfect peace. The second step is to thoroughly examine our priorities and to give intentional time and energy to what matters most. This often entails saying no to less things or activities, and it means not giving in to the situations that scream the loudest for our immediate attention.