I want to be fully present in this season. As I tackle the long list of all that must be done, I get discouraged. I begin to lose my energy and my enjoyment of celebrating the holidays with my family. I get through, make it special for others, I make all the special dishes. But on the inside I am annoyed.
Feeling joy and Christmas magic in my home requires me to slow down.
I must take the time to prepare my heart.
As the mom, wife, maker of home, I set the tone for the season. If I am rushed and grumpy that affects my household. If I look at the holidays as “something to just get through” that changes the environment.
So, how do we do things differently?
How can we approach this very busy season with a different mindset?
I am so glad you asked!🙂 – Here are my top 3 practical ideas to prepare your heart for the Christmas season:
#1 – My Reading Stack & Devotionals
Fully embracing the holiday season begins for me with my reading stack. In my quiet time, I need to be thinking about the season and the beauty of Christmas.
Here are some of my favorites:
- The Quiet Collection Devotional by Emily P. Freeman
- A new 10-day audio devotional for Christmas (Available Nov 26 — Dec 15)
- The Greatest Gift – Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voscamp
- Podcasts that bring me back to what matters – I listen to these and take notes every year.
- Schole Sisters – SS #16: Don’t Be the White Witch
- Schole Sisters – SS #64: How Christmas is Like a Funeral
- Read Aloud Revival #36 – Christmas and Advent Read Alouds
- & RAR #167 CHRISTMAS WITH TOMIE DEPAOLA AND WINTER AT RAR
- Girls Night #46 – How to Make Your Home Feel Like a Sanctuary
- and I always enjoy the latest from The Daily Poem
- My book stack about Hygge and creating a cozy home (see here for more info)
- This article: Unhappy Holidays and this devotional A Joy to Behold: Rediscovering Delight in the Christmas Season by Taryn Nergaard
#2 – The Atmosphere of my Home
I think a lot about how I am creating a peaceful place for my family and others. This is very important to me. I want my home to be a place where my family and guests can relax and be themselves.
Creating a welcoming atmosphere is more than visual decor and trinkets. We need to involve all the senses in our homes.
Tips for Creating Cozy Spaces:
- Light a candle that smells like Christmas time.
- Have soft blankets tossed onto the couches and ready to curl up with.
- Play music that reminds you of Christmas from your childhood or from your favorite artist.
- Enjoy foods that take a long time to cook and make the kitchen smell good.
- Change your morning routine to add some cozy slowness. (see my reading list above)
- Turn on the softly lit lamps, open the screen door, and smell the evening air.
- Make hot drinks and read books together.
- Use the fireplace and enjoy the crackling of the wood burning (or the digital one on Netflix).
- Browse cookbooks and find some new recipes to try this week.
- Put on a sweater and enjoy sitting on the front porch at sunset. Talk about the day.
I have learned so much about the senses from Myquillyn Smith also called “The Nester”.
Please visit her beautiful site for more ideas.
#3 – Homemade Goodies and Savory Dinners
Food anchors the home. It brings in tradition, culture, and family stories. Food is so much more than nourishment and calories. Cooking reminds us of where we have been, who we are, and shows love to those who enjoy the meal. Baking often includes unique ingredients and family recipes. It is slow, satisfying work.
My favorite goodies to make in December:
- Homemade bread, corn bread, and rolls.
- Cookies, fudge, caramel corn, gingerbread cookies
- Slow Breakfasts: cinnamon rolls, muffins, banana bread, oatmeal, and egg casseroles.
- Soups that cook in the crockpot all day
- homemade applesauce or cranberry sauce – I love how is simmers for hours.
Questions –
What do you enjoy reading when it’s cold outside?
What have you listened to/or watched that impacted your attitude towards Christmas?
How have you drawn near to Jesus in this very busy season?
Do you read the beginning of Luke the week of Christmas?
Which books call to you during the winter holidays?
What feels cozy to you? What textures do you enjoy?
What smells like Christmas and childhood joy? Pine, vanilla, cinnamon, spiced cider?
How does your reading stack change in the winter and during the holidays?
What family food traditions do you have for Christmas time?
What special meals do you make?
How did you eat differently in the winter as a kid?
Who made slow dinners that simmered on the stove all day? What did that smell like?
What kinds of cookies are your favorite to eat at Christmas time?
I am thankful for each year that I have taken the time to prepare my heart. I used to rush through the Christmas season. I saw it as a mile-long list of all the things I had to do. I got through it and made it special for others but on the inside I was annoyed. I often did not feel joyful or cozy. Those things require slowing down which I am not good at.
Christmas is remembering what God has done for us. It is showing others how much we love them by slowing down and being present.
When I do these things the atmosphere in our home changes radically.
All of us relax more. We enjoy being together and we celebrate well.
That is what I want for this season and I want that for you as well.
A Little Prayer For You:Come into our homes in this busy season Jesus. Slow us down. Let us feel You move in our hearts. Bring us back to why You came down to be with us. Show us your sacrificial love and abundant blessings. Walk us through our pain, our struggles, and our hurts. Bring us close God as we rest in Your presence.
Remind us each morning to start the day with Your Beautiful Word. To talk with You as we start our day. Be with us as we cook, wrap gifts, and sing hymns. Remind us that the preparation can be part of the celebration if we include Your Holy Spirit. Help us to end this year well. To love others and to spend time on what is most important.
Amen
Merry Christmas! – April
[Photo Credits from Unsplash : Ira Ostafiichuk, Paola Chaaya, Alisa Anton, Lena Myzovets, Kari Shea, Annie Spratt, Brooke Lark and others]
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