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Are you dreading the big family Christmas get-together because of the potential for conflict?

“Our love for Christ makes a great difference,” Dr. Chet Weld says, “so we remember the Scripture that says: ‘love triumphs over judgment,’ and we want to be filled with the love of Christ and love everyone unconditionally as Jesus does.”

Weld draws from 42 years as a Christian therapist to suggest several strategies to keep our focus positive and our attitude encouraging.

“My first point is to be in prayer in the weeks and days before a family occasion,” he says.

There really is a lot on the line.

“Entire family dynamics revolve around these get-togethers such as weddings, or memorial services, or Christmas,” he says about big family gatherings. “These gatherings are so important because the effects of them can last for years and years and years.”

Because of that, it’s good to also include prayer on the day of celebration.

“This sort of sets the tone,” he says. “I think it’s very important.”

And how we engage in conversation that day can make a difference for good, too. Weld recommends focusing on others: on how they’ve overcome difficulties over the past year, what they’re thankful for, and how knowing what they have control over could make for a smoother new year.

Weld’s recommendations could make for a more joyful gathering and warmer connections moving forward.

“You’ll get to build the relationships if all goes well,” he says.

Dr. Chet Weld’s upcoming book is titled “God is in the Crazy.”