> Practical Family Living

Christmas Then and Now

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Providing a personal perspective of Christmas as a child and then as an adult allows us to implement the power of our faith during this stressul time of the year.

Christmas: God's Sacred Covenant

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Using the analogy of a love story, this brief passage describes the tenderness of God's love for each one of us. The holiday of Christmas is especially noted as it is a special time to celebrate the gift of God's commitment to us.

The Hope of Christmas

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Christmas is a season in which we are reminded of why Christ came. Two things were guaranteed when Christ came into the world.

Shame and Christmas

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

The word "Christmas" originates from a word that actually means "Christ's festival". Shame inhibits us from being able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Five lies shame promotes are identified and discussed.

A Christmas Sabbath

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Describes how behaviors and a mindset of peace and rest can bring us closer to God in the Christmas season

Christmas Inspirations

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

What do the Bethlehem manger and a brother dying of AIDS have in common? Article depicts how life-giving responses in difficult circumstances can bring hope and encouragement.

When Bereavement and Holidays Walk Together

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Roles and traditions between family members, especially during the holidays, can be altered when a loved one dies. Article brings tips on coping with this sensitive family issue.

Changing Our Christmas Perspectives

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article uses an analogy from the Old Testament to teach how Christmas can be an opportunity to turn from fear and sin, to the joy, holiness, and wonder of Christ.

Lord Emmanuel

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article describes in poetic form how God will dwell with us ande not forsake us in uncertain or tragic times.

Bread of Bethlehem

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Family and the sharing of communion is the backdrop of this article, which explores how to receive life-giving and healing attributes of God during the Christmas season.

11 Tips to Help Manage Stress

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Practical, clear and helpful ideas to keep you focused and positive in the Holiday Season

Advent Traditions

This article provides many ideas to help you and your family celebrate Advent - with special ways to prepare your hearts and minds for the coming of the Christmas season.

Just Right: A Christmas Memory

A story of a family tradition to warm your heart and a reminder that family traditions help build memories that last a lifetime.

A True Joy-Filled Christmas

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Stress and high expectations of the modern Christmas season are in sharp contrast to the First Christmas

Healing at Christmas

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article describes the decisions we all have when entering the holidays. We can choose to stop "the war" in our relationships, to enter a time of peace.

When The Messiah Came

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

This article takes a personal look at the author's first encounter with the reality of God and provides helps in remembering one's own history of attachment with God.

Gratitude, It's Own Memory Chain

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Memories triggered at times of yearly occasions are not always pleasant. How do you deal with triggered memories? Can we move from reacting to certain memories to providing ourselves with a plan? See ways people are able to set in motion a positive chain of memories both personal and spiritual.

Christmas and Family Attachment

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Some children find attachment difficult. Adopted children may have an especially hard time attaching to parents and siblings. Christmas is a time when small steps may be taken to promote a sense of belonging and attachment. A description of this situation is provided here along with ideas to begin to promote attachment in families at Christmas time.

When A Father Dies - Preparing For The Holidays

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

The death of a family member creates a kind of stress that one does not understand until they experience the loss themselves. Add the holidays to this and the multiple levels of grief increase. There are a few basic truths that become real in the face of such a loss around the holidays. This article, written to encourage as well as remind us of these truths, utilizes the author's own personal experience to bring the reality of what it means to celebrate living in the face of grief.

Let There Be Peace in the Home: Helping Children Manage Stress During the Holiday Season

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Children are just as vulnerable to experiencing holiday stress as adults. This article gives parents nine practical tips to help children manage stress associated with the holiday season.

Christmas Shocking

Christmas this year may not happen as you picture it. When things do not go as planned, you may experience Christmas culture shock.

Coping with Change at Christmas

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Change is often difficult for families, but changes during the Christmas season can be especially tough. Article looks at four practical and spiritual ways to manage changes: based on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her response to the birth of our Savior.

Facing the Holidays Together

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each year numerous couples and families struggle to keep pace with the expectations placed upon them from various sources. Keeping extended family, friends, and each other happy requires great skill around negotiation, self-awareness, and the provision of flexibility. This article outlines several guidelines to be aware of as the festivities are rushing in to eat up your time and energy.

Family Conflict and the Holidays: God Bless Us, Every One!

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy and celebration, isn’t it? Yet, many have a relative or two in which there is some tension. When you consider the extra stress of the shopping, wrapping, food preparation, traveling, and stretched finances, it is no wonder that family gatherings can be stressful. This article provides tips to handle the stress of family and the holidays with God’s help.

My First Christmas Alone

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Holidays are unique in that they tend to awaken emotions many would rather avoid. Facing your first holidays without a loved one means the development of a new awareness of ourselves along with the loss of our loved one. Brenda candidly shares her experience of her first Christmas without her parents and the reality of our Heavenly Father's understanding.

Coming Home

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Home is a powerful word. This article speaks to the yearning for home whether one is physically home or not. Where is home? If we do not have a sense of home, where may we find it?

God's Christmas List

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

If we find ourselves overwhelmed, anxious, lonely or fearful during this Christmas season, we can take heart and reflect on God’s love. God has made all the necessary preparations for Christmas.

The Ornament of Grace

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

As the Christmas season rolls around we often are confronted with re-evaluating how the year has been for our families and our loved ones. It is easy to become filled with such busyness that we forget one of the many reasons why Christ came. He came to make sinners sons and sons like Jesus. This article briefly takes a look at how the grace of God may be seen as an ornament of grace in our daily lives.

Coping With Holiday Grief

Compiled by Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

There is no time of year more difficult than the holidays when a loved one has died. Nothing feels the same nor will it feel the same again. Listed here are only a few helps that may make the holidays a bit more tolerable.

Helping Ourselves through the Holidays

Holidays challenge us on every level: emotionally with the memories of family or stressors of getting together, physically because there seem to be so many more activities and details to attend to, spiritually we are stretched thin between honoring our faith and all the demands we face. This handout is designed with those stressors in mind. The ideas suggested are just that...suggestions. Underneath it all we trust each will find ways to care for themselves as God would have.

Live Within Your Means

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Living within our means often is associated with our financial circumstances. In this article, Brenda outlines ideas that help us live within our means emotionally, physically, and spiritually this Christmas season. Nothing drains our joy quicker than attempting to do all and be all to those we love. In addition, it drains our ability to enjoy the real reason for celebrating that which God has provided.

December Hope Realized

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

December brings on adult busy work, the joy of children, exhaustion, and a huge amount of hope. This article calls us to prize hope and God’s promise that we will not be abandoned by Him. With a heartfelt and poignant reference to “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” we are able to relive the reason we celebrate Christmas. Reading this short commentary will help you relax and to let God be God.

Controlling the Chaos

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

For stepfamilies, the stress of the holiday season can be compounded. With patience and grace, the holiday season can be enjoyable. In this article, tips for stepfamilies to navigate the holiday season are shared.

Mary’s Labor of Peace

Laura Demetrician, M.S., LMFT

In the midst of a troubled time, we can find peace. It is easy for us to see impossibility of a situation and to feel the fear of uncertainty, but we can have peace…with a little bit of labor.

The Holidays

The winter holidays can be a time of tradition, community, and meaning. But it can also be a time of loneliness and unexpected grief. In anticipation of the holidays, consider what you need emotionally and relationally. Set boundaries around your time and energy. Invite people into your life. Consider giving back trough a local church or charity.

A Thank-Ful Thanksgiving

Laura Demetrician, M.S., LMFT

With our country's political climate turbulent, many will find themselves around tables with people of different opinions and ideas. There are many ways to cope. Your positive and thankful attitude can help set the tone for your time together. If the conversation starts to go down a difficult path, try gently guiding the conversation to topics of common interest. Another idea is to take breaks and breathe. They may wonder why you have visited the bathroom 10 times, but remember to love others, be patient and respectful, and to have a very thank-full Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Family Healing & Practical Family Living!

The Holidays are (almost) OVER!!

Carrissa Pannuzzo, M.A., LMFT, LPC

Whether this is a relief, a sadness, or bittersweet there is always a lot tied to this season. A lot of preparation, thought, emotion, get togethers, and parties. Now that it's over, take time to renew. Enjoy the positive memories, give grace to the negative, and rest in the present.