How much will you say “yes” to this season? Will you be worn out and stressed by the time Christmas gets here? Will you run yourself and your family ragged trying to do everything and be everything?
As much as I love Christmas and all its trappings, it does always seem to be the season of excess. So much shopping and spending. So many parties and events. So much food to cook and eat. So many expectations, most of which we never entirely meet.
Let’s experience less busyness, more Jesus this Christmas!
As each year seems to get busier and busier, I find myself aching for a simpler Christmas. Acutely needing to scale back and soak in the meaning of Christmas, instead of the hype.
As if preparing for Sabbath, I’ve found myself starting to prepare for Christmas in November. Trying to get as much of the ‘work’ done ahead of time. Christmas cards printed and ready to mail. Shopping started, presents wrapped, meals planned. Or at least that’s the plan…
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However, even this advance preparation doesn’t feel like enough. As I look over the calendar for December, my stress level began to rise. So much I want to do in so little time. So many days already spoken for… Where do I draw the line so the season doesn’t become one big, stressful to-do list? What can I cut out, yet still feel festive and create special Christmas memories with the family?
I think we could fill every waking moment (including staying up past bedtimes) with fun Christmas activities. Office holiday parties, gingerbread house decorating events, Christmas light viewing, caroling, theater productions, holiday fun runs, parties for the kids, and the list goes on and on… But, does it become too much? How often are we worn out by the time Christmas arrives – and still feel like we didn’t get it all done?
This year, will you say “no” to the expectations so you can say “yes” to Jesus?
Every year of my childhood, my mother threw a cookie-decorating party for me and my friends. It was one of the highlights of my childhood. One of those special memories I will always hold dear. I wanted to do the same for my children and build that kind of Christmas tradition.
As I looked at the calendar one year, trying to find a date for a cookie party, I instead found stress. Too many other engagements already on the calendar, too little time to prepare. So, I made a difficult decision to say “no” to one tradition that meant a lot to me and I know would be fun for the kids. Saying “no” to this, however, meant I have more of me to say “yes” to Jesus.
What holiday obligations and expectations do you need to let go so you can “yes” to Jesus?
Savor the season of Advent, more than the frenzy of Christmas
I made a ‘grown up’ Advent calendar for myself, with a scripture verse or carol behind each day. I’ve found it changes the countdown. Instead of counting how many shopping days are left until Christmas, I can instead pause for a few minutes each day to soak in the story of Jesus’ birth. Just as my children still run to open the next day on their Advent calendar, I also can’t wait to turn over the cards on my wreath. Can’t wait to spend time with each scripture lesson and letting each carol fill my heart. I want to feel the Christmas season deeply. I want to immerse myself in the story of Jesus and the promises of his birth.
So, will you join me in saying “no” to something this season? Scale back a little. Focus a little less on the trappings of Christmas so you can focus more on the reason we celebrate. Spend a little more time soaking in the story of Jesus and why his birth changed the world.
Find a devotional that fits you can stick to. Cut something else out of your schedule so you can spend 10, 30, 60 minutes with Jesus each day. Give some of your time to him and see how it puts your heart more fully in the Christmas spirit and eases the stress of the season.
There are any number of great Advent devotionals available. You can even create your own. But, if you haven’t found one that sparks your interest, take a look at these two options:
The Gift of Christmas
Slow down and savor the true gifts of the Christmas season. Unpack the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus has waiting for you.
Start each day this Advent season with a brief devotional and time of prayer. Let Jesus speak deeply into your heart as you prepare for the real joy of this season – the gift of Jesus.
Explore a variety of prayer methods each day, including prayer through Scripture, prayer journaling, Lectio Divina, Gospel contemplation, and examen.
Click here to order your copy today!
Pray Deep for Advent
I also have the Pray Deep for Advent devotional journal. Available in print or Kindle formats, this book will provide daily prayer prompts through scripture and hymns. Prepare your heart to receive Christ with hope, peace, love, and joy. (affiliate links)
I wish you all a blessed and low-stress Christmas season!
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stoopingformanna says
Such a great reminder that me must be intentional about staying focused on what’s important during this busy season. And I love the printable! Thank you for sharing your gifts here. I’m so glad I stopped by. Great post!
Kathryn says
Thanks! Glad you stopped by, too! Hope you can find your focus amidst the busy this season.
Beth Willis Miller says
Kathryn, love your great printable and focus, I’m right there with you, saying Yes to Jesus ❤️
Kathryn says
Praying for a deeper, more meaningful Christmas this year 🙂
Sarah says
Kathryn, there is so much to say no to during this season if we want to say yes to Jesus. I am going through Ann Voskamp’s book The Greatest Gift and then also doing the family book with my children. I can’t wait to get started and really savor the season. Thanks for the great reminder! Visiting from Coffee for your heart.
susieteramura says
This is a great reminder! Thank you! I also would love to make more space for quiet this Christmas, but always want to do all the fun things out there this time of year! Thank you for helping me remember to choose wisely! I love the printable too! Stopping by from Holleys
Kathryn says
Definitely want to keep the fun things, but limit the stressful ones and the days we’re just too busy. Prayers for wise choices that lead us to a more meaningful Christmas this year!
sarahgirl3 says
So many good things we should be saying no to this year. I say no to busyness and yes to more Jesus!
Kathryn says
I hope I can really do it this year – just enjoy the season and soak in the fun and the meaning! Prayers for you this season!
mightymorphinmama says
Thank you for the timely reminder. I am often stressed and sad as Christmas approaches as money always seems to tight and I haven’t been able to give enough of myself to those I love, because I have been too stressed.
This year, I told the kids that for all of December, all of our ‘school’ will be Advent, preparing our hearts for the coming of our saviour. I am excited to begin with them. Jesse tree, Advent candles, reading, baking and singing. I can’t wait to read your other advent posts for more ideas!
Kathryn says
Prayers that you and your family will have a special, low-stress and meaningful Christmas this year! Blessings to you!
Sami says
This is so cool! I just printed out some advent prayers and verses to share with my family throughout the season. My husband and I really want to make it more intentional this year
Kathryn says
Glad you liked this! I’m excited to try a more ‘grown-up’ countdown this year – and put more focus on Jesus in the midst of all the Christmas.
Angie says
An amazing post! & I totally agree!
I found your lovely blog on the SITS Sharefest.
Thanks
Angie
Amy Jung says
I love your desire for a simpler Christmas. I share the same and will be striving for that this year. Linked up with you at Faith Along the Way.
Kathryn says
I hope you (and I!) find that more meaningful Christmas this year!
passagethroughgrace says
Beautiful reminder for where our focus should be during this season! I have grown children who do not live at home and I am still trying to figure out how to make this Christmas meaningful. It is so easy to get caught in the hype and busyness. I am praying that God will provide insight as to how I can be intentional and centered on Him this year. Blessed you linked with The Weekend Brew.
Barbie says
I am saying yes to slowing down and focusing my heart on Jesus. I will be reading Ann Voskamp’s “The Greatest Gift” and joining other bloggers in a link up each Monday. Thank you for joining the community at The Weekend Brew!
Kathryn says
Love how I’m seeing so much focus everywhere on slowing down and more intentionally drawing near to Jesus this Advent!
Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl says
It is so easy to forget the meaning of Christmas. Every year I also say to myself I’m not going to spend a lot and lo and behold I don’t hold myself to it. Scaling back little by little is a great idea. Wishing you a blessed and less stressed season too! Visiting from #SITS sharefest
Sarah Ann (@faithalongway) says
Kathryn,
I LOVE the idea of saying no to stress and busyness and YES to more Jesus! What a perfect reminder in this post and I appreciate the free printable! You are being featured at the Saturday Soiree Blog Party this week!
Kathryn says
Glad you liked this one! Thanks for the feature on the Saturday Soiree! Love the community there 🙂
Dawn Boyer says
I am with ya Kathryn!! I am eager to slow down and soak up more of Jesus because that is all we really need. And our kiddos, too. We are learning to live with less,make do with simple and realizing we really don’t need everything we though we did.
Your wreath and printable are adorable.
Blessings,
Dawn
Kathryn says
Trying to make this a season of rest, renewal and preparation – instead of rush, stress and over-doing. Hopefully I’ll stick to it – and be able to make it more meaningful for the whole family. Hope you are able to have a special Christmas season, too!