Slow Down—It’s Christmas Week

It’s Christmas week, and over the past weekend I’ve been out and about a few times. What I noticed most was how rushed everyone seemed—cars speeding by, crowded stores, stressed faces, and short tempers. It made me want to gently remind everyone: slow down. Not just while driving, but in your mind and in your heart too.

Christmas was never meant to feel like a race. It’s meant to be a pause.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle—buying gifts, running errands, checking off endless to-do lists. But Christmas is not about running around, spending money, or feeling overwhelmed. If you read my blog from last week, you know this already. Christmas is about enjoying time with family, friends, and neighbors. It’s about connection, peace, and presence.

For me, Christmas will always hold a deeper meaning. I am a Christian, and I celebrate the true reason for the season: the birth of Christ. That truth grounds me, especially when the world feels loud and hurried.

Some of my favorite Christmas memories come from when I was a child. My aunts would gather the entire family together, and we would go caroling through the neighborhood. We called it asking for Posada. It was a beautiful tradition that reminded us of Mary and Joseph, who went from house to house seeking a place to stay—free of charge—because Mary was pregnant and about to give birth to Jesus. Those nights were simple, joyful, and full of meaning. No rush. No pressure. Just togetherness.

Christmas is a time to honor old traditions and, at the same time, create new ones—especially as families grow and new members join. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from slowing down, sharing a meal, telling stories, or simply being present with one another.

I urge everyone this Christmas season to take a breath. Be a little kinder. Drive a little slower. Listen a little more. Reflect on what Christmas truly means to you. This world of ours could certainly use more kindness, more patience, and more love.

If we can carry that spirit—not just through Christmas, but beyond it—we will all be better for it.

May this Christmas bring you peace, reflection, and joy.