Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of the Season
The holiday season is full of so many things that can draw your attention away from the true meaning of Christmas. The shopping, the sparkle, and the endless to-do lists need to have their proper place.
If you’re longing for a more meaningful Christmas this year or you just realize that your life has been out of alignment with what the holiday is all about, below are some ideas and reminders to help you stay more spiritually focused.
Key Points
- The holiday season can distract us from the true meaning of Christmas; staying spiritually focused is essential.
- Start each day with the Lord, simplify your schedule, and observe Advent traditions to deepen your faith.
- Fast from social media to limit distractions and reflect on the names of Jesus to enhance your worship.
- Engage in charitable giving to shift focus from receiving to blessing others during Christmas.
- Take a silent hour each week to connect with God and remember the true gift of Christmas: His presence and redemption.
The Christmas season is often the busiest social time of the year and while it can be beautiful, for many of us Christian women, we can be left longing for more. Christmas over the years has become more traditional and less meaningful.
It’s time to change that.
If you’ve ever found yourself craving a quieter, more Christ-centered Christmas, this guide is for you.
1. Start Every Day with the Lord
Mornings can be hectic during the holidays, but starting your day in God’s Word and prayer before your house “wakes up” can shift everything.
If you haven’t been carving out quiet time with the Lord, you’ll discover that it can be even more impactful to do so during the holiday season.
Take a few minutes to read the Holy Scriptures (add additional time to meditate on them), pray, and/or journal. This will help you start your day more spiritually focused.
And, because it’s the Christmas season, read Bible verses about Jesus. Here are some:
Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Luke 2:10: “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’”
John 1:9: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”
Check out this full list of 50 different Christmas scriptures shared by The Pioneer Woman.
2. Simplify Your Schedule
You will have so many opportunities to fill your calendar with things to do and places to go but not every invitation needs a yes. It’s okay to step away from the noise and busyness of the season to choose to rest.
Be very intentional with your time. Sure, you can enjoy a holiday gathering here or there. Just make sure the time is meaningful. And, as the Word says, Don’t forsake assemblying with other believers.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Being watchful of what you allow on your calendar while also prioritizing time with God’s people will help you to remain more spiritually focused this Christmas.
3. Start a Tradition of Observing The Advent Season
Advent is the season leading up to Christmas that helps us prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s a time of reflection, waiting, and drawing closer to God as we remember the hope that came into the world through Christ.
Some ways to observe include:
- Lighting a candle for 7 days in a row (or on weekends) and praying or reading scripture. A verse that comes to mind is the one when Jesus revealed Himself as the light of the world. John 8:12
- Read an advent devotional daily. Here’s one from the Bible Project that’s available in the YouVersion app.
- Use an advent calendar (like this one) that offers different ways to observe.
When you observe advent, it offers a space for you to slow down and experience the wonders of Jesus, our Savior.
While it’s tempting to scroll through your IG pages for inspiration and gift ideas, doing so can easily become a distraction. Then, 3 hours later you’ve gone down a rabbit hole.
It’s a good practice overall to take breaks away from social media. What better time than the Christmas season.
Social media can create so much noise in your head and your spirit. So, let God’s voice be the loudest.
5. Reflect on the Names of Jesus
Jesus is of course, the reason for the season regardless of if people want to acknowledge that or not.
Jesus has many beautiful names as revealed in scripture. Here are a few:
- Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
- Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23)
- Light of the World (John 9:5)
- Messiah (Act 17:3)
- Lamb of God (John 1:36)
- Son of Man (Matthew 25:31)
- Son of God (1 John 5:13)
Choose one or two of His names each week to meditate on. Let those names shape your worship time and perspective during the days leading up to Christmas. This is one of the gest ways to become more spiritually focused.
6. Sow a Seed
Christmas is often viewed as a time for receiving gifts. Giving too, but people typically care more about what they are going to get over what they are going to give.
If you want to be more spiritually focuse, one way to do so is to remove “over-consumption” from the season.
Instead of focusing on what you are going to receive or what you “asked for,” sow a seed that will have a greater impact. Some places to give include:
- your local church
- Christian organizations that sponsor children or donate Bibles
- an organization that you can volunteer with (example: shopping for meals for the elderly, visiting a nursing home or hospital, writing letters to service men and women)
Ask God how He wants you to bless others this season. He may lead you to give in unexpected ways.
7. Take a Set Silent Hour Once a Week
Just like you can start your day with the Lord, you can and should end your days with Him too.
Bearing in mind that the Christmas holiday season is a busy one, it may not be as realistic to do this every night but you want to at least take 1 night a week to shut out the rest of the world at the end of an evening.
You can do this by dimming the lights in your bedroom (or other quiet space at home), play some worship music, light a candle (if that’s something you wouldn’t typically do but find peace in) and sit in stillness with God.
Reflect on what He’s been trying to say to you during the busyness of the season.
Remember What Matters Most
It’s easy to get caught up in the planning, shopping, and decorating for the holiday season. But at the heart of Christmas is a gift more precious than any dollar can buy. It’s God with us and His redemption of us.
I hope these Christ centered Christmas ideas inspire and motivate you to observe and celebrate the season differently this year.
