With Christmas nearly upon us, you may feel more panic over your to-do list than wonder at Christ’s coming. If Jesus knocked at my door today, I’d probably mutter, “There’s no room here,” just like the innkeeper at Bethlehem. Then I’d get back to my mile-long list.
Back in October, I read all about how you should prepare for Christmas early to enjoy a peaceful Advent season, but it must not have stuck, because I'm doing all my preparations now.
We can be knee deep in Christmas with our hearts far from Christ.
Sometimes we’re so busy in the holiday rush that we neglect the most important thing: preparing our hearts for Jesus. With cookies to bake, gifts to buy, and parties to attend, overwhelm can set in and drain the life right out of us. If I’m not careful, I could miss the joy and speed through December in a state of low-grade anxiety.
Here are some ways to calm the Christmas crazy and tend to our hearts during Advent:
1. Quiet Our Hearts
Taking just five minutes to be quiet and focus on our Savior can change the landscape of our thoughts during a stressful season. I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of the “Be still and know that I am God” verse: “Step out of the traffic. Take a long, loving look at me, your high God” (Psalm 46:10, Message).
This December I’m trying an experiment: to sit in silence for five minutes at the beginning of my day, or any time I can squeeze it in before stress gets the better of me. I literally set a timer, and make myself sit still, breathe deep, and know He is God. Five quiet minutes remind me that with Jesus at my side, I don’t have to live my life in a hurry.
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2. Make Room for His Word
During Advent, we celebrate this truth: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Let’s open our doors to more of Jesus by making room in our hearts and our schedules for the life-giving Word of God.
December may not be the best season to make up for lost time by speed-reading through what remains of that forgotten “Bible in One Year” plan. Instead, perhaps reading a few verses each day from one of the gospels or from an Advent devotional can open our hearts to the grace we need. Just today, seven verses from Mark gave me a fresh vision of Jesus as I saw again His mercy towards blind Bartimaeus and towards me too (Mark 10:36-42).
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3. Come Clean
As much as we enjoy the holiday season, it adds MORE to our already busy lives: more activities, more shopping, more work in the kitchen, more decorating, and more stress (along with all the joy, right?). Before I know it, I start to fret and get snappy; a layer of frustration and resentment can build up inside.
Yet nothing frees my heart like taking a few minutes to humble myself before God and ask Him to show me my sins. When I recognize and confess them, God cleanses me and helps me get back on the right path.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way”(Psalm 139:23-24, NASB).
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4. Invite Our Savior to Come in
One of the most intriguing miracles of the New Testament is Jesus making his home inside us. Let’s open the door of our hearts to Him. Ask Jesus to come and show himself to you. Draw near to him for fellowship as you go about your everyday activities and as you work on holiday preparations as well.
We can pray Paul’s words for ourselves: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17).
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5. Ask God to Heal our Broken Places
High expectations of a joyous season can weigh heavy on hearts. Christmas may bring painful reminders of dysfunctional families, struggles with singleness, or the loss of a loved one. Maybe for you December is a reminder that the prodigal you love and pray for has yet to come home.
God always waits for us to pour out our hearts and simply tell Him how we feel. Here’s a promise we can count on: “The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
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6. Remember What He Has Done
The holidays can set us on a track of rushing to get everything done. Then before we know it the year has ended, and we’re looking ahead wondering what goals and priorities to set in January. Let’s not forget the gentle art of examining our lives to look for evidence of God’s provision, grace, and mercy. What has God done for us this past year?
This particularly helps if December finds us in a hard place where life looks bleak. In my journal this morning I made a list of some things God did for me and my family this year. In just five minutes, I had a renewed sense of abundance and hope for the days ahead. The same faithful God who blessed me in the past will continue to do so in the future.
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7. Ask God to Renew our Hearts
You may be dragging a weary heart around as you push through extra activities and responsibilities. Maybe a long year has drained your strength. How about stopping for a few minutes to remember the Lord as your Shepherd?
“He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2, 3)
What if you asked Him to refresh your soul with an awareness of His care for you? Let’s ask Him to renew our hearts with the strength and hope we need for today.
Whether our hearts need to be quieted, cleansed, healed, or renewed, God will meet our need as we draw near to Him.Let’s celebrate Christ’s coming by making a bit of room for Him in our hearts and souls this December. Will you join me in setting aside a few minutes for Jesus each day as we celebrate His birth?
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Betsy de Cruz writes to encourage women to stick close to God and His Word, even when life gets bumpy and crazy. Her free guide, 10 Days to More, shows readers 10 ways to do devotional Bible study. It’s available at Betsy’s blog, faithspillingover.com, where you’ll find Bible study and prayer tips, as well as encouragement for family life and everyday faith. You can also find Betsy on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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Originally published Thursday, 07 December 2017.
