Tag: Christmas

Handel’s Messiah-Announcing good news

An angel announced the birth of the Savior in Luke 2, bringing joy and a sign of hope. The text from Isaiah 9:6, referenced in Handel’s Messiah, highlights the significance of this birth, which inspired Handel’s composition in 1741. The piece, however, was originally intended for Easter, not Christmas.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

 But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2, NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

"For unto us a son is given"
graphic from Lightstock.com, an affiliate link 

This Bible verse, Isaish 9:6 is used in Handel’s Messiah.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

The Origins of Handel’s Messiah

(from Smithsonian Magazine)

Handel composed Messiah in an astounding interlude, somewhere between three and four weeks in August and September 1741.

“He would literally write from morning to night,” says Sarah Bardwell of the Handel House Museum in London.

The text was prepared in July by the prominent librettist, Charles Jennens, and was intended for an Easter performance the following year.

“I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject,” Jennens wrote to a friend.

sharing the HEART of Christmas  

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Messiah isn’t just about Christ’s birth and wasn’t written for Christmas. Learn more in this post.

How to Manage Holiday Stress

The Christmas holiday season is starting earlier each year, often causing stress through shopping, cooking, and family gatherings. While celebrating with loved ones can bring joy, it can also create emotional tension. Managing expectations and preparing for potential stressors can help individuals find peace and enjoyment during this challenging time.

updated December 8, 2025

The Christmas holiday season seems to start earlier every year. Rather than post Thanksgiving, it now appears right after Halloween, if not Labor Day in early September.

Once activities move into high gear we may start wondering if it really is

“the most wonderful time of the year.” 

The extra work of shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, planning, and entertaining can make it the least wonderful time.

We welcome celebrating with family and friends, yet find those encounters create emotional tension and strain. When we feel sad that loved ones can’t be with us, either through distance or death,  the season can become the worst of the year.

By anticipating stressful holiday events and the feelings they trigger, we can prepare ourselves for the physical and emotional stress of the holiday season, and find a way to enjoy the festivities with “hearts all a-glowin’.”

snowflakes making a Christmas tree

Resources for Conquering Holiday Stress

Writer Bruce Y. Lee takes a lighthearted but serious look at the holiday season and suggests music may help us cope better in

 How To Reduce And Deal With Holiday Stress

“Twelve Days of Christmas”: Keep perspective. If the Holidays are tough for you, remember that the season is temporary and will pass.

Try not to take yourself and things too seriously. Just make sure you maintain healthy habits and avoid behaviors that will lead to health problems (such as gaining weight) beyond the holiday season.”

colorful wrapped packages

Consider this advice from WebMD before going 

Home for the Holidays 

“Don’t worry about how things should be. Most people have less than perfect holiday gatherings — they have family tension, melancholy, and dry turkey too.

If you have negative feelings, don’t try to deny them. Remember that there’s nothing wrong or shameful or unusual about feeling down during the holidays.

a cute snowman

31 Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas from Woman’s Day

#23 Know when to say no.

Can’t say no? Then keep your gatherings small and intimate. Get together with a few of your closest friends or relatives for the holidays.

Choose to throw the big blowout parties at another time of the year, when you and your guests will have fewer commitments competing for your precious time.”

glowing cancles

 A Simple Christmas: A Faith-filled Guide to a Meaningful And Stress-free Christmas (Spirit of Simple Living) 
A Simple Christmas book cover

by Sharon Hanby-Robie

“The secret to a happy holiday is learning to collaborate and to create a plan that is uniquely yours with a goal to experience more serenity, more joy, and more opportunities to nurture the souls of those you love.

But, most important, it is to remember the greatest gift ever given, the gift of the Christ Child. Take time to simply sit and ponder this amazing miracle. “

(an affiliate link provided for your convenience and to help support this blog)

a nativity arrangement of the manger

And in this blog post, Joshua Becker reminds us to

Choose Holiday Traditions That Serve You

“Traditions should draw our attention to the underlying reason for the season.
Traditions should not detract from the season, they should elevate it.”

5 keys to manage holiday stress before it manages you 

  1. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others.
  2. Anticipate stressful situations, places, and people.
  3. Plan and prepare carefully, but stay flexible for the unexpected.
  4. Keep your self-care routine- healthy eating, exercise, adequate sleep.
  5. Remember what is most important about the season-family, friends, faith.

How will you manage holiday stress?

  • Which of the 5 keys listed above do you most need to focus on?
  • What makes that important for you?
  • What do you need to do today to make and implement a plan for success?

Sharing the HEART of Christmas

Thanks to Pixabay for the Christmas photos used in this post.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha
Mankind is a great family..proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas
Christmas graphic from the Lightstock.com collection (affiliate link)

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without food. Here are some tips to make it easier and healthier.

Healthy Holiday Eating: Practical Management Tips

This post shares how holiday foods like marshmallows and eggnog, appear in traditions and songs. Holiday foods can challenge nutritional management of multiple health conditions. Here are practical tips for planning meals to accommodate dietary needs, while offering insights on healthy eating and managing sobriety during festivities. Ultimately, we can celebrate human connections over food.

Keep reading