Dear Friends and Family,

November is here—and with it comes the beginning of what, for many people, is the most stressful season of the year. This happens for a few reasons.

First, most of us are overscheduled. And at the risk of sounding repetitive, we must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives. With so many things that feel “mandatory,” we end up at the beck and call of every little event. None of them seem like much on their own, but together they pile up until we’re overwhelmed. Suddenly, a season meant for peace and thankfulness becomes filled with rush and anxiety.

Second, we know this season should be full of joy. We want to be happy, but we’re worried about how to pay for it all, dreading the effort it will take, and sometimes just relieved when it’s over. That tension—between knowing we should be joyful and feeling the opposite—can weigh heavily on us.

Third, many of us have lost someone dear. Some losses are recent, some long ago, but something about this time of year makes us miss them more deeply.

I want to encourage you to avoid this all-too-common trap. Say no to the things that aren’t essential, and say yes to dinner with your family. Skip the office Christmas party and instead invite a church family over for cards or a game night. Do the things that bring joy and build lasting memories—things that don’t have to cost a lot of money.

For example, my family has a Christmas cookie decorating competition each year. We each spend about an hour on one cookie, post the pictures on Facebook, and let our friends vote. We also block off special family movie nights for our favorite Christmas films. I like to find a book to save for this season—one I read slowly with a good cup of coffee.

Find a Bible reading plan that focuses on thankfulness or joy. Spend more time in prayer and less on social media. Don’t compare your Thanksgiving or Christmas to anyone else’s—make it what your family needs. Especially those of you with young kids: I regret the years I spent chasing my own tail instead of just being with my wife and children—working overtime to buy them more presents when what they really needed was my presence. You’ll never get those younger years back. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses, and just keep walking with Jesus.

You may notice that our church calendar looks a little light in November and December. That’s intentional. We want everyone to have time for meaningful connection in smaller groups—to really enjoy life.

Jesus had thousands of followers, but when it came time for His traditional seasonal meal (Passover), He shared it with only His twelve closest friends. That wasn’t because He was being exclusive or cliquey—it was because He was human. We can only give ourselves deeply to a few people at a time. Of course, Jesus loved everyone, but even a Divine human being only had twenty-four hours in a day.

I love and appreciate you all so much. I truly hope this Thanksgiving and Christmas season is the best of your life—and that it sets you on a path where each one grows richer and more meaningful. May this be the year you stop trying to “get through” the holidays and start looking forward to them, because you’re doing the things that refresh your soul.

I love you all, and I’m beyond thankful that God has placed you in my life.

Godspeed,

Dan