A Christmas Journey
A guide to seeking God’s Kingdom in the holiday season
Christmas can feel overwhelming, can’t it? The noise, the pace, and the pressure to “do it all” can leave us feeling anything but the expected ‘merry.’ If you’re nodding your head right now, you’re not alone—because there is hope for a different way.
The Search for a Different Christmas
This year, I decided I wanted to approach the season differently. I longed for a Christmas that reflected the quiet peace of the manger scene rather than the frantic rush of shopping malls. Our family’s December is already full of birthdays, year-end wrap-ups, and celebrations. I’m sure your list looks just as hectic. But this time, I was determined to navigate the season better.
Finding the Way Forward
Our pastor’s sermon on “The Best Way to Seek the Kingdom This Christmas” became the spark I needed. I sat down and wrote a Christmas Survival Checklist—a list of small but meaningful steps to help me focus on what truly mattered to me. I wonder which ones leap out to you as you read?
My Christmas Survival Checklist
- Be Present in Connections
- Be self-aware of how I’m connecting and interacting with others
- Notice the people God places in my path, and give each interaction my full attention
- Listen to God’s Voice
- Tune in to God’s leading, prompting, and conviction
- Make space for quiet moments with Him
- Trust His timing, even when it differs from mine
- Practice Mindful Presence
- Be in the moment and release the urge to rush ahead
- Give myself permission to pause and breathe
- Follow Divine Direction
- Only do what He shows me to do, focus on relationships over tasks alone
- Release the pressure of others’ expectations
- Honor Rest and Retreat
- Follow Jesus’ model of prioritizing retreat and rest, schedule intentional downtime
- Don’t apologize for taking needed breaks – these are guilt free and essential to thriving in this season
- Extend Grace Freely
- Give others the grace and kindness I want for myself
- Remember the grace God continuously gives me, and let go of perfectionism
- Cultivate Gratitude
- Turn up the volume on thankfulness, and share appreciation freely
- Notice and celebrate small blessings
- Manage External Input
- Turn down the outside noise where possible
- From a peaceful home, I go out
- Prioritize Wisely
- Invest in the best things over the many good things
- Create margin for unexpected opportunities to love
- Love From the Center
- Let my love pour into those who are closest to me first
- Remember that love starts at home, which then flows out to others
- Practice Generous Living
- Let generosity flow in all its forms
- Look for creative ways to give
Living It Out: A Real-Life Story
The clock was ticking, the task list was full, and we only had a small snippet of time at the shops. My internal buzz was buzzing. My brain was already quite overwhelmed by being in the shopping centre, and I truly just wanted to get home and rest.
Seeing a pair of casual shoes our eldest had wanted for Christmas, I smiled at the shop assistant (let’s call her Amy). Amy is what I would call an overattentive shop assistant. She took the shoe from my hands, slightly bowing as she told me what a great choice I had made, what an incredible shoe it was, and how lovely it would look on the feet of my son.
Breath in, breathe out.
What followed was a 45-minute journey through customer service, searching for shoes, system glitches, and detailed explanations. Each moment tested my patience and challenged my commitment to being present.
But something beautiful happened when I chose to let go of my agenda and truly see Amy—to recognize her dedication, her desire to serve well, and her genuine care for her work. When I finally chose to grin, to adopt humor, to be in the moment with her, the atmosphere shifted.
We found common ground. I encouraged her about her work ethic. I said YES to joining their store program, knowing it might help her reach her goals. What started as an inconvenience became a holy moment of connection.
The Kingdom in Unexpected Places
Yes, it was initially inconvenient and frustrating. I could have succumbed (and almost did). I could have left the store at stage one, but I chose to stay. I could have ‘lost the plot’ and taken my angst out on this diligent assistant.
Instead, God used it as an opportunity to bring her something different, something joyous…and in the process, He did something in me too. What a gift for the both of us! Kingdom is here, when we choose to follow His prompts and heart for the moment. It doesn’t need to be as hard as we sometimes believe it to be.
Your Turn to Seek the Kingdom
So, what’s one way you can seek the Kingdom this Christmas? Start small. Pick just one or two tips from the checklist to practice this week, and watch how God begins to meet you in the quiet moments.
Reflection Questions:
- Which point from the Christmas Survival Checklist resonates most with you right now?
- What situation typically challenges your peace during the holiday season?
- How might you approach that situation differently this year?
This season, let’s pursue more peace, more presence, and more purpose—just as He intended. Remember, this list isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. It’s about seeking God’s Kingdom in the middle of December’s chaos, giving ourselves and others permission to slow down and breathe.
Pressure off you. Pressure off me. Together, let’s refuse to succumb to the pace we were never designed for.
[Looking for more guidance this Christmas season? Don’t miss our companion piece on “What Jesus Offers at Christmas: 9 Gifts that Help Bring Peace and Purpose” where we explore the deeper meaning behind our favorite holiday symbols.]
This season, let’s pursue more peace, more presence, and more purpose—just as He intended.
Let me know what you think below – part one aimed to answer the How God gives us peace and purpose practically, part two aims to answer the What Jesus offers us through Christmas in a more theological perspective!
You can check it out here:
Much love to you and yours,
Karen
xxxxx
If you are in the Christmas Mood and looking for some other thoughtful reads, feel free to check out these blogs below, written by some writer friends.
https://www.susanbarneswriter.com/synchroblog-christmas-reminds-us-that-change-is-possible/
Did someone say Christmas songs by Nola Lorraine (https://www.nolalorraine.com.au/did-someone-say-christmas-songs/)
Because we know by Dienece Darling (https://www.dienecedarling.com/post/because-we-know)
Being present in moments, to connect with people and not let my mind wander. I’ve really been under conviction about that! Thank you for the reminder.
Thankyou Dienece, that is beautiful… and yes, He often gently leads us to the message and focus we need at the time, doesn’t He. P
Thanks for those tips. Yes, Christmas can often be a mad rush to the finish line rather than a joyful time of peace and reflection. A number of your points resonated with me, but one thing I’m trying to do is seek God about what I should be doing. There are so many things we could do or that people expect us to do, but what does God want us to do? I haven’t even put the decorations up yet or sent out Christmas cards. I was going to get some of that done this week, but I’ve come down with a virusey thing, which has slowed me down. Normally that would stress me out, but I’m trying to just go with the flow. It can’t be helped and it’s okay. As long as the Christmas cards go out before New Year, it’s fine. And if not by then, the world will not end. Thanks for sharing.
I hear you Nola! I pray that you’ll feel better soon darlin. It sounds as though many of us might be in a similar space about wanting to go with God’splan okay our own. Isn’t that fabulous! Well done for choosing to go with the flow and shooping off the stress. So true, if the cards don’t get out, the world will keep on spinning. Have a lovely Christmas chickadee.
Point 4 of your Christmas survival list speaks to me: Follow divine direction. It also speaks to me for 2025 as I will be retired and have more available time. I want to do the things that God wants me to do, and not be pressured by others’ expectations.
Thanks for posting.
The world is your oyster Susan! Congratulations on the retirement, imagine all the writing you can get done now. Lol That point jumped out to me too.