The Christmas season is upon us, with a flurry of shopping and preparations filling our days.

Even spending time with family, decorating our homes, and reading special advent devotions can become just an item to check off our list rather than bringing peace to our soul.

In all of the busyness and hurry, we can get overwhelmed with the ‘doing’ and forget about just ‘being’. 

How can we slow our pace and become more intentional and focused on the birth of Jesus—Immanuel, God with us—the newborn King?

Press Pause

Take a few moments each day to be still.

One of the best ways to calm the Christmas noise is to allow ourselves to press pause and focus on Jesus.

I’ll be the first to admit it is easier said than done when we have tons to prepare, feel a little less than joyful, and the gifts are begging to be wrapped before Christmas morning.

But this year, I’m challenging myself to take a step back, breathe, and give a few minutes each day to read a portion of the Christmas story and to pray.

Reflect

Like Mary pondering the happenings of the first Christmas in Luke 2:19, meditate on His Word and the events of His birth. Allow God to speak peace to your heart through the love story of His Son. 

Mary probably spent a lifetime treasuring and pondering all the joys and wonders of being mother to the Son of God. But I bet more than anything, she did it not because He was her Son, but because He was her Lord.

As much as Mary loved Jesus her son, she love Jesus the Christ even more. And although her story is special and unique to her, we can find ourselves in her story.

We can also be women who adore the baby Jesus and gather our family together like Mary did on that first Christmas night. But we can also be just as committed as she was to pondering the moments.

We can be intentional to observe all the special ways God reveals Himself during our family gatherings as He weaves His love through each memory written on our hearts.

And when the trees are taken down, the food is eaten, and the gift wrap is left crumpled on the floor, we can continue pondering on the memory of how God showed up in the midst of our holiday long after the Christmas lights have been turned off.

Make a list of all the ways God has been faithful to you and your loved ones. Ponder on these blessings as you go through the holidays 

Worship

Immediately upon hearing about her cousin Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy, Mary quickly travels for a visit with her.

What took place that day, I believe, was an impromptu worship service brought about by two women quite literally filled with the Holy Spirit. (Read about it in Luke 1:39-55)

Both women proclaimed God’s goodness and worshipped Him as they expectantly waited for His promises to be fulfilled in their lives.

This holiday season, as we anticipate the gatherings, gifts, and goodies, we too can worship expectantly, choosing to allow His presence to fill our hearts and homes in the midst of the festivities.

Spend a few minutes each day in worship. Let Christmas hymns and worship songs fill your home to help lift your heart and mind to Jesus.

What are some ways you can add worship into your day, especially during the holidays?

Come…worship and bow down; kneel before the Lord Psalm 95:6

Jesus, help me to focus on You during this week before Christmas.  Help me to quiet my mind, meditate on Your Word and allow You to speak peace to my heart.  Amen

What are some ways you slow your pace and focus on Jesus during the busyness of Christmas week? Share with us in the comments below

 If you’re looking for help spending time in the Bible and prayer during this time of year, you can find Ponder These Things, a 5 day devotional and prayer journal in our online shop.

Post originally published December 19, 2016 – Updated and reposted November 19, 2021