{"id":26347,"date":"2025-12-22T22:15:29","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T22:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26347"},"modified":"2025-12-22T22:15:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T22:15:29","slug":"intercultural-ministries-christmas-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2025\/intercultural-ministries-christmas-message\/","title":{"rendered":"A message from Intercultural Ministries: Prioritize self-care during this holiday season (in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Founa I. Badet<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merry Christmas | Feliz Navidad | Joyeux No\u00ebl | B\u00f2n Nw\u00e8l<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Christmas, we celebrate the good news that God chose to dwell among us\u2014entering our world with humility, love, and grace. In Jesus Christ, we are brought together as one family, rich in diversity and deeply loved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May the light of Christ shine in every language, culture, and home. May this season renew our commitment to walk together in compassion, justice, and joy\u2014welcoming each other as Christ has welcomed us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Certified Mental Health First Aid, I encourage you to prioritize self-care during this holiday season. God knows, we had a year. So please, do one small thing that will bring you joy and record how you felt and put it on your joy jar for the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will use the same language we shared at the last webinar on Mental Wellness with Kenya Madison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE & WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY: Joy and self-care. Self-care is not selfish. Joy is not something we need to earn; it is something we are. Nehemiah 8:10 says, \u201cThe joy of the Lord is your strength.\u201d
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  2. REST & MOVEMENT: CARING FOR THE BODY: Rest is ministry. Fatigue makes everything heavier\u2014our emotions, our reactions, our thoughts. Genesis 2:2\u20133 \u201cBy the seventh day God had finished the work\u2026 so God rested.\u201d
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  3. SET SMALL, ACHIEVABLE DAILY GOALS: Small goals help restore a sense of stability. When life slows down for the holidays, our thoughts can speed up. Zechariah 4:10 \u201cDo not despise these small beginnings.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Download this greeting as a bookmark in pdf format from https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ICM-Christmas-Card-2025.pdf<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    1. COMMUNITY & CONNECTION: You are not alone. Help exists beyond this moment. Isolation is one of the greatest emotional risks during the holidays. We are not meant to carry everything alone. Galatians 6:2 \u201cCarry each other\u2019s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.\u201d
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    2. SELF-COMPASSION & BOUNDARIES: I invite you to practice the same compassion inward. Many of us are experts at caring for others\u2014and are harsh on ourselves. Proverbs 4:23 \u201cAbove all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.\u201d
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    3. GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS: Grief often becomes louder during this season. Grief often resurfaces during holidays. Naming loss allows healing to begin. Psalm 34:18 \u201cThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted.\u201d
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    4. GROUNDING TOOLS: Grounding techniques help calm the nervous system and restore presence. Psalm 46:10 \u201cBe still, and know that I am God.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n