The Christmas season is not only one of the most stressful times of the year; it's also one of the most dangerous times of the year. A recent article summarized some of the research from Great Britain on Christmas stress and accidents:

• Almost 20 percent of people find the experience of hosting guests and preparing for Christmas meals and festivities "completely overwhelming." A third of women feel more stressed throughout December than any other month across the year.
• Three percent of people suffer an electric shock due to badly wired Christmas lighting and one in 50 fall out of the loft trying to get the tinsel and decorations down.
• Some 2.6 million people have even fallen off a stool or ladder while hanging up the decorations.
• A mammoth 700,000 people have been injured in a sale rush, while trying to snag a bargain.

Russell Atkinson, CEO of Great Britain's National Accident Helpline said:

Unfortunately the festive and winter season can bring with it hazards for your health, from the cold weather and long, dark nights to unsafe electric decorations around the home. As such, we urge people to pause and take steps to keep themselves, their friends and family safe, in order to ensure they have a relaxed and cheerful holiday season.

Possible Preaching Angles: Of course this illustration highlights the need for joy and peace at Christmas, but it also highlights what Christ did in the Incarnation—he did not play it safe. He entered into a world of accidents and hardships and injustice and profound unsafety and suffering.