As the Christmas season approaches, so does the pressure to create perfect holiday memories. It’s easy to get caught up in our busy schedules as we attempt to cram in all the holiday festivities. In doing so, it’s possible to lose sight of what we’re celebrating in the first place.
For anyone already overwhelmed by the daily demands of life, the holidays feel like added stress if we’re not careful. In order to navigate this holiday season wisely and even find peace amidst all the chaos, it’s essential to prepare our hearts and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
That last phrase may sound like a cliche, and it probably is, but there’s so much wisdom and truth tucked into it. So, let’s explore what it might look like practically for us to prepare our hearts for a meaningful Christmas with the following three steps.
1. Take Inventory
In order to prepare for Christmas, we must first evaluate what’s already taking up space in our hearts and minds. Though it may be uncomfortable, it’s essential to confront that which consumes us. Take time to pause and reflect. Dare to get honest with yourself and God.
Really ask yourself what’s already taking up space here. Don’t be afraid to pray through how you’re truly feeling deep down. God is not disappointed or caught off guard by how you’re feeling or what you’re facing.
Oftentimes I find false beliefs and negative thought loops that are so familiar I rarely notice them unless I intentionally stop to take a deeper dive.
Some questions you may consider in doing the same are: Where is my attention focused? What am I prioritizing in this season? Where is my time being spent? What consumes my thoughts? Am I striving in any way this holiday season? Am I prioritizing what truly matters or am I allowing lesser things to consume my time, thoughts, attention, and energy?
I want to encourage you to pause now if you’re able to and journal through some of these questions. If not, be sure to come back to them when you can take a deeper look at each one. At the very least, pray through them and ask God to clearly show you things taking up space in your heart and mind that have no place there.
These questions reveal the posture of our hearts and show us where our time, energy, and efforts are focused. We see an example of David taking inventory of his own heart in Psalms 129:23-24. He prays this prayer, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way” (CSB).
We too can pray and ask God to reveal things taking up space in our own hearts that do not belong there.
2. Release Expectations
The pressure to keep up with all the traditions we see everyone else doing can be overwhelming. Add to that the attempt to make it all picture-perfect and we’re bound to be exhausted and stressed out in no time.
The holidays don’t require perfection in order to be enjoyed. Maybe you, like me, are guilty of trying to live up to completely unrealistic expectations not just during the holidays but year-round.
I’m learning that there is so much freedom in letting go of the need to be perfect and instead resting in the One who already is.
I once heard someone ask, “Are your expectations of yourself higher than God’s expectations for you?” and it blew my mind. I had never stopped to consider that the God of the universe wasn’t asking or requiring me to do everything perfectly.
He isn’t as concerned with our performance as He is with our hearts. That’s why we take inventory first. To ask ourselves if we’re chasing perfection or Jesus this holiday season.
Two of my favorite verses are found in Galatians and 2 Corinthians. They speak to the freedom that is ours in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This freedom is part of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
God coming to earth in the form of a baby to rescue us and set us free includes freedom from unrealistic expectations and perfectionism.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can simply choose to release unrealistic expectations and walk in freedom as we make meaningful memories with our friends and families this holiday season.
We can give ourselves permission to have trees that aren’t Pinterest-perfect or “aesthetically pleasing” Christmas decor. We can decide not to chase perfection.
While it may seem challenging, it's crucial to release unrealistic expectations in order to prepare our hearts for a meaningful Christmas.
3. Center Your Heart on Jesus
After we’ve identified what’s taking up space in our hearts and released unrealistic expectations, we must refocus. Refocusing reminds us of what the Christmas season is all about and allows us to experience true peace no matter what we face.
In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul gives these instructions, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (CSB).
Centering our hearts on Jesus requires an intentional redirection of our thoughts toward Christ. As we fix our gaze on His unchanging character and the deep love He has for us, our perspective shifts and that which holds eternal value comes into focus.
We’re no longer consumed with the decorations, gifts, or even stress itself. We can cling to love, joy, and peace and be encouraged by the hope this season brings.
What if we chose to simplify holiday traditions? What if we got back to basics and decided to keep the miracle of Jesus’ birth at the center of everything we do? What might that look like?
A quick evaluation of which traditions we actually enjoy, find meaning in, and have the capacity for would help us simplify the holidays and get back to the true reason we celebrate.
Here are a few questions to get you started: What brings joy to your heart? What does your family enjoy doing? What do you have the mental capacity for?
Let go of everything else that adds unnecessary stress as you prepare your heart for Christmas. When we center our hearts and minds on Jesus, only then will we find meaning in not just the holiday season, but our everyday lives as well.
Amidst the holiday madness, these three steps will keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas. Becoming aware of what’s taking up space in our lives, releasing the pressure of perfection, and making Jesus’ birth the central focus will help prepare our hearts as we celebrate.
I pray we all remember the deep love that brought Jesus so humbly to this earth. And that it would inspire hope in our hearts regardless of what we face this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
For a deeper dive, check out this free resource specifically designed to help you prepare your heart for Christmas.
For further reading:
4 Ways to Make Gratitude and Thankfulness a Daily Practice
How Do We Inwardly Prepare for Christmas?
5 Creative Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Bogdan Kurylo
