We look forward to the Christmas season all year. But between decorating, shopping, and a busy schedule, it’s easy to feel more hurried than holy. Is there hope for truly enjoying this hectic time of year?
Advent, the season of anticipation, invites us to slow down and make room for Jesus. When we pause long enough to notice His presence, we rediscover the peace and wonder that the season was meant to hold.
Here are three ways to slow down with Jesus during the holiday rush.
1. Find Rest in an Advent Devotional
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” — Colossians 3:16a (NIV)
Before the day begins and the to-do lists take over, make time to sit with the Word of God. Advent is a beautiful season to dwell on the story of Christ’s coming: the Word made flesh who came to dwell among us. When we slow down to read, reflect, and pray through Scripture, the message of Christ begins to dwell in us richly, reshaping our priorities and renewing our peace.
Even five quiet minutes in the morning can turn a rushed heart into a rested one. Read a few verses from Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth or revisit the promises of Isaiah that point to His coming. Let the Word become more than words on a page. Let it become the space where we meet Him. As we do, His wisdom and presence begin to fill the season with meaning far deeper than the noise around us.
2. Worship Through Christmas Carols with Gratitude
“…as you sing psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:16b (NIV)
Worship slows us down because it lifts our eyes up to Him. Singing Christmas carols isn’t just about nostalgia and good feelings, it’s about declaring the truth of the gospel in melody. Songs like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” remind us of God’s faithfulness and fill our hearts with gratitude. When we sing with understanding, we’re not escaping the chaos of the season, we’re inviting heaven’s peace into it.
This Christmas season, we can turn our car rides or kitchen chore time into worship moments. Sing with our family or hum quietly to ourselves. We must let the words of truth anchor us: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” Each song becomes a prayer of praise, drawing our hearts from distraction to devotion. Gratitude turns ordinary moments into worship, and worship turns the holiday rush into holy ground.
3. Trust God and Submit to Him in All You Do
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
In the midst of shopping lists and social plans, slowing down often looks like surrender. Proverbs 3 reminds us that peace comes not from control but from trusting that Jesus is guiding every detail. To “submit to Him in all you do” means to recognize His presence in every moment, no matter our routines or busyness. It’s choosing to lean into His wisdom instead of our own hurried understanding.
Try whispering a prayer before each task: “Lord, I choose Your ways here.” Before we leave the house, before we wrap a gift, before we end our day, we can pause and let our heart realign with Him. The promise of this passage is that He will make our paths straight. When we trust Him fully, even our busiest days begin to become a meeting place with God.
A Closing Thought
The Christmas season isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming more aware of the One who has already come. As we let His Word dwell richly in our hearts, let’s lift our voices in song and submit to Him in every step. By walking through this busy season with Jesus, we can unlock the true joy of Christmas.