Does the world control your Christmas?

"I'll be glad when Christmas is over," said Charlotte. She worked in a local variety store. Hustle and bustle spread itself all over the environment.

People were everywhere. Some were patient and accommodating, and others were rude and short-tempered.

In fact, I encountered a couple of shoppers who were definitely less than pleased. They frowned and openly exhibited their irritation while the sales associate checked out my purchases at the register.

I apologized and went on my way. "It's all a part of the Christmas rush," I told myself, and I refused to take it personally.

But why is almost everyone stressed during the Christmas holidays? I'm reasonably sure God didn't intend that almost everything and everyone change from calmness into a frenzied flurry of depression, exhaustion and lack of time.

You have to finish your preparations before the big day, Christmas.

My mother, particularly, loved Christmas. She liked sending cards, shopping for gifts and wrapping them. Mom especially enjoyed all the family as they congregated at her house that day. She beamed from ear to ear.

Finances were always scarce, but I don't remember the atmosphere around our home as being stressful. You received whatever gifts you were able to, and were thankful. Regardless of what you received, you tried to show you loved it. You didn't express regret and rudeness because you may not have gotten what you asked for.

I must admit, I allow the world to dictate my Christmas celebration, to a point.

We always have lots of people at our house on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I thoroughly enjoy the people, but getting ready to serve and set up becomes exhausting. I sometimes think it's more about presents and wondering if I gave enough to each individual in my circle. Many stretch their budget to the point it takes the next year to catch up. Did God want this? I think not.

I believe God desired that we enjoy and gain peace from the knowledge that our world was changed because of that baby, Jesus.

The world creates a setting of glamour and happiness, but if you're observant, you know better. Lots become saddened and upset because they believe the picture the world paints.

They feel their Christmas celebration fails to measure up to what they see on television, on the streets and inside the stores. Reality doesn't quite measure up to the propaganda you see outside your window.

"I hate Christmas" and "I'll be glad when it's over" do not have to be the sentiments that come out of your mouth.

Each year, I vow to do less and simplify. Yet each season, I'm harried and frazzled. But despite the feelings of anxiety I have when I review all my unfinished chores, there remains a deep-seated joy.

When Christmas Eve and Christmas Day arrive, it seems Jesus is in our midst.

Everyone arrives at our get-together with smiles on their faces. We are happy to meet again in love and camaraderie. No one remembers the trouble and inconvenience of getting to the celebration.

It's like when a mother gives birth to a child -- you forget the pain because of the reward.

So what do you do to cease dreading Christmas and being glad when it's over? In addition to deciding, I will attempt to simplify. I don't have to spend as much, entertain as many or decorate excessively, if at all.

It will take courage to buck the prodding of the world, but I am up to the challenge. Who am I to please, anyway -- myself or the world?

Who must you please? Stop trying to please other people and be at peace with you.

The meaning of Christmas can be found in these words: "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in his son" (1 John 5:11).

The son is Jesus.