This year has been a mess in so many ways. Our Advent/Christmas series, "Christmess," has allowed us not only to acknowledge and embrace the mess, but to rejoice all the more that it was this very mess into which Christ came to save.

As we look back on the mess of this year, how do we plan accordingly for the next year to ensure that it isn't such a mess? Unfortunately, we can't control how messed-up next year will be. However, we can plan to be better prepared for whatever comes our way. How? Less focus on our life and more focus on the Lord.