Focus on Love and Jesus This Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy, togetherness and love, but the season also comes with endless to-dos, stress and overbearing expectations for everything to be perfect. Our calendars fill up with all the festive season activities that we’re expected to be at. Instagram and Pinterest push the narrative of having our holiday decorations picture-perfect and on trend. We are marketed to by businesses to spend huge amounts of money on the perfect gifts for the ones we love.

We get swept up in the appearance of the perfect family Christmas, but underneath it all, we’re burnt out, spending money we don’t actually need to and seriously in need of a break from it all. This isn’t the way God wants us to live, especially during the season that we should be focusing on celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the reason for the season and I think it’s time we truly start to honour this. Let go of the perfect family Christmas narrative and let Jesus be the centre of it all. Invite Him to be the biggest and best part of your Christmas season.

Slow Down and Take Notice

Life seems to be speeding up more and more lately. The weeks feel like days and the years feel like months. This is why slowing down and taking notice of the small things is so important, because, before we know it, the Christmas season will have come and gone before we’ve even had a moment to appreciate this special time with our loved ones.

Focus on slowing down instead of rushing from errand to errand. This time is precious and it’s a gift from God for us to be able to spend quality time with the people we love most. Put some time aside every day to do something to bond as a family. Some good examples could be painting or crafts, a date night with your spouse and family time in praise and worship. Whatever quality time activities you choose, always remember to slow down and give the moment the gratitude it deserves.

Be Intentional – Say No When You Need to

Rather than filling your Christmas schedule and to-do list to the brim, learn to say no to the things that aren’t filling your cup. If scheduling in another school obligation or meeting will mean not spending the evening with your family, politely decline. If that group of friends that wants to make holiday plans every year drains your energy with their gossip, spend that time with the Lord instead. If your budget isn’t big enough to stretch to buying everyone you know a Christmas gift, be honest and be intentional by buying gifts for those that are most special to you. This will also free up some money to help someone else in need.

The Christmas break goes by so fast and our calendars fill up so quickly, usually with things that aren’t serving us in any way. You don’t need to feel guilty about saying no to the things that don’t serve you. Be intentional with your time and resources and use them to serve the Lord and those you love most.

It’s the Thought that Counts

Whether we’re scrolling on socials, watching TV or just wandering through a shopping centre, marketing agencies are continuously throwing ads in our faces trying to convince us that the way to make our loved ones happy is always through buying them something new and shiny. Don’t believe this lie. Over consumerism and materialism are traps created by the enemy that convince us to buy things we don’t really need to, by spending money we don’t need to spend. Some people even get caught in the trap of unnecessary debt trying to show their love through buying gifts.

You don’t need to fall into the enemy’s trap or believe the lies of the marketing agencies, because I can guarantee, your presence means so much more to the ones you love, than any gift you could ever buy them. Happy memories of being together, watching Christmas movies and enjoying a meal are the best Christmas memories I have of my childhood. I always got exactly what I asked for every Christmas, but when I look back, all that matters to me now, is that we were happy and enjoying Christmas as a family. Whatever gifts you decide to give this year, always remember, it’s the thought, not the price tag, that counts.

Focus on Love, Not Perfection

Instagram and Pinterest are full of perfect-home aesthetics year-round, and it gets even worse during Christmas. The constant reels and posts showing the perfect Christmas décor, charcuterie boards, gifts expertly wrapped and family matching pyjama photoshoots are actually exhausting. The constant comparison and need for perfection honestly doesn’t leave much room for real life.

I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to reuse the same Christmas decorations every year and only have one Christmas tree in the house. It’s okay if your gifts aren’t wrapped with precision and tied with bows. It’s also okay if your house looks way messier than normal, because you’d rather enjoy time with your family than trying to keep your house show home ready!

Remember that love is the focus of Christmas. Let go of the perfection, avoid the social media comparison loop and fill this Christmas with as much love and enjoyment as you possibly can.

Honour Jesus

We celebrate Christmas to honour and remember the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God loves us so much that He came down from heaven to join us in human form. He is Immanuel, God with us. His perfect love and sacrifice for us is why we celebrate Christmas.

Make time for the Lord over your Christmas season and bring Him into everything you do. Spend time with Him every day, praying to Him and giving Him your praise. Go to church, serve others and celebrate the birth of our Saviour with your family. Share the beautiful nativity story with your children and show them how much God loves them. God’s love and acceptance is the best gift any one of us will ever receive. He is the reason for the season, make space and time to glorify Him.

I pray that you will celebrate Christmas this year, and every year to come, with a more grace-filled and intentional approach. Let go of the perfectionism and materialism, slow down and say no to what drains you and focus on what truly matters. Hold your loved ones close and appreciate the quality time you get to spend with one another over the holidays. Praise and honour the Lord as you remember that He is the best gift we will ever receive and praise Him for His goodness and love.

Wishing you and the ones you love a merry Christmas, filled with love, peace and God’s richest blessings.