It’s not always easy but here are 4 ways to make your family’s holiday gathering peaceful and meaningful

Many of us grew up with warm feelings about the upcoming season. Songs like, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” were reminders of a tender time with the ones we loved – and those with whom we shared the fondest memories.  

I can’t help but wonder if this year, the anticipation of those holiday gatherings might bring very different feelings for many.  

Almost everyone has been at least a bit traumatized over the past two years as we’ve grown weary of hearing about “unprecedented” events. Even more, at every turn, from the pandemic to the election, to racial tensions to COVID treatments, these events have stoked disagreements among many – including those (and sometimes especially those) in our families.  

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, DESERVES SUPPORT NOT DERISION

Different ideologies aren’t only age or political party-specific, either; they’re also often geographically diverse. Lockdowns and masking rules were different around the country, so families may travel to gatherings from places with very different experiences and perspectives about the past few months.  

I am the pastor of a church that places immense value in two areas: compassion for others and building healthy families. These themes will be tested for many in the coming weeks, and unfortunately, some will just avoid the connections altogether – robbing them of the opportunity to cultivate these priorities.  

But bringing these two core values together, I believe, is the secret to keeping joy in the gatherings ahead – here are some ways to do just that: 

Establish Core Principles Before You Gather.  

It’s tempting to say that you’ll need ground rules for gatherings, but I’d steer clear of such terms. Rules may just start the arguments earlier than expected: what are the maximum number of people allowed? Will some expect testing or vaccinations or masks before…