Many of us believe that Christmas is more than just an opportunity to boost sales! According to Christian theology it represents nothing less than God coming Himself to a lost world with the purpose of ultimately restoring all things. In the language of motivational psychology, I guess we could say that this was a ‘SMART’ goal (actually the smartest goal ever!). SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - translate the heart of goal theory in psychology into a practical pathway for growth by clarifying intention, focusing effort, sustaining motivation, and enabling feedback, core mechanisms established by Edwin A. Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory (1968) and later refined with Gary P. Latham (1990), while the SMART acronym itself was popularised in management by Peter F. Drucker’s Management by Objectives (1954) and formally articulated by George T. Doran (1981). From a Christian perspective, SMART goals honour wise stewardship by aligning purposeful action with God’s will: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). They encourage clarity (“Write the vision; make it plain,” Habakkuk 2:2), diligence and excellence (“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord,” Colossians 3:23), and hope-filled perseverance, so that individuals cultivate self-regulation, competence, and wellbeing, while communities benefit from shared clarity, accountability, and compassionate service that strengthen societal health through responsible leadership, meaningful work, and the pursuit of the common good. Get smart this Christmas and make friends with Jesus!