The Christmas season can often be so hectic that it can be easy to lose sight of why we celebrate. The presence of God as Immanuel (“God with us”) is the central message of Christmas. You can connect with God’s presence even with your busy schedule this season. Here are five simple ways to connect with God’s presence during the busy Christmas season. No matter how full your December calendar is, each of these simple breaks can help you experience God. It also helps you experience the peace and joy that comes from recognizing God’s presence.
1. Sing your heart out for a few minutes. Music is a powerful tool for focusing on God. Anyway, you probably have a lot of Christmas songs playing in your head. Try singing one of them for a few minutes. Choose sacred Christmas carols that focus on the birth of Jesus over secular Christmas songs about Santa, reindeer, and snowmen. “Joy to the World,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Go to Tell It on the Mountain,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and so many other great possibilities. The unique, God-given voice you have is an instrument that can be used in worship, and using your voice to sing to God is a powerful way to connect personally with God. Have fun singing Christmas carols while you’re driving, cooking, baking, wrapping Christmas presents (or any other time you like). This is not a performance, so you don’t have to worry about how it will sound musically. Focus on truly expressing yourself to God as you sing. In the process, you will experience the joy of connecting with God as one of His beloved children. Psalm 98:4 exhorts, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you earth; sing for joy and sing praises!” Even more amazingly, Zephaniah 3:17 reveals that God “delights you with songs.” When you sing to God, you are responding to your Heavenly Father. Your Heavenly Father is already very happy with you and is singing love songs for you. Singing Christmas songs will also help you focus on what’s most important this Christmas season. By choosing a phrase from a song and repeating it (such as “The Birth of Christ the Savior”), you can take your mind off the stress of Christmas and focus on Jesus.
2. Let Christmas lights remind you that God’s light shines in the darkness of the world. The Christmas season is full of light. Whenever you need encouragement as you overcome the darkness of this fallen world, let Christmas lights remind you that Jesus is the light of the world that brings true hope. Light a candle at home or work, take a short walk or drive to enjoy the local Christmas lights, or take a short break by sitting in front of your Christmas tree or fireplace. As you look at the lights, remember the light of hope and wisdom that Jesus shines into our dark world, and that light is always stronger than darkness, both spiritually and physically. John 1:5 says of Jesus: “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it.” Be inspired by the beauty of light and worship the God who created it. Consider the wonderful words of Jesus in John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. ‘As you enjoy the glow of Christmas lights, let go of dark thoughts about the challenges you face. Say a short prayer thanking Jesus for being the light that overcomes all darkness. Remember that Jesus is right there shining a light into your life.’ And receive the peace that Jesus wants you to experience. Christmas lights remind you that Jesus is with you even during the most stressful of holidays. Pray out your worries and trust that Jesus will help you through each one this Christmas season. Consider Jesus’ wonderful promise in chapter 16, verse 33: There will be trouble in this world, but take heart! I have overcome the world.
3. Say a short prayer for someone in need. During the Christmas season, it can be stressful to focus too much on your expectations and schedule. Shift your perspective and let God’s love flow into your life by saying a short prayer for those who are struggling during this season. You don’t have to worry about going through an extensive prayer list. If you find yourself thinking about someone you know in need, say a short prayer. Whenever you feel like doing so, pray one person at a time. Ask God to meet that person’s needs and give them peace this Christmas. By praying individually for those in need, God’s love flows into your life and the lives of others, allowing you to experience a deeper connection with God. The best way to connect with God is through love. Because the core of God is love. So look beyond your own world and pay attention to those around you, whether it’s the exhausted-looking cashier at the grocery store, a co-worker who needs help with a project, or a friend or family member going through a personal crisis. The Bible calls you to join the struggles of those around you. Prayer is the quickest and most powerful way to do that. Galatians 6:2 urges: “Carry one another’s burdens, and you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When you pray for another person, you are aligning your heart with God’s heart, and you are helping that person along with them. This gives us the opportunity to participate in the true spirit of Christmas, spreading God’s love.
4. Let your breath remind you of the Spirit of God with you. The Christmas season is full of joy, but it can also be hectic. In the midst of decorating, shopping, and celebrating, it’s easy to forget the real reason for this season: the gift of God’s presence. A great and simple tool we already have for staying connected to God is breathing. Think of your breath as a constant and gentle reminder of God’s Holy Spirit within you, as Job 33:4 says, “The Spirit of God created me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Every breath you take is a fresh gift from your Creator. To connect with God through your breath this Christmas season, take short breaks during your busy day or evening to pay close attention to your breathing. Gently close your eyes. Next, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, inflating your stomach and chest as if the air were filling a balloon. Finally, exhale slowly through your mouth or nose and feel your body relax. As you do this, be aware of the sensation of your breathing. Notice that cold air enters the body and warm air leaves the body. Feel the gentle rise and fall of your chest and stomach. Just by focusing on your breathing, you can calm your body, mind, and spirit at the same time. And we can connect this gentle breathing to the Christmas story. As you breathe in, you can silently contemplate God’s presence. As you exhale, you can release the stress of the season and rest in God’s complete and unconditional love for you. When you breathe consciously like this, you become more aware of feeling the Spirit of God. Ask God to help you hear from Him. And listen. You may become aware of God’s presence through feelings of peace or joy, inspirational thoughts such as fresh ideas or clear guidance, or in other ways. Connecting to God using your breath can be done anytime and anywhere you wish to draw closer to your Creator.
5. Read and pray Bible verses about God’s presence. During your busy day, pull out one Bible verse that speaks about God’s loving presence. Then pray that verse back to God and ask the Holy Spirit to reflect the truth into your current situation. Hebrews 4:12 describes how Biblical truths are alive and can powerfully change your life when applied: “For the word of God is living and living. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” For example, when you are feeling anxious about your schedule or overwhelmed by all the responsibilities you face, turn to Deuteronomy. You can pray by reading 31:8, “The Lord himself will go before you and be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” After reading this verse aloud, you can pray: “Holy Spirit, make this promise real for me right now, so that I can feel your presence before me as I face this problem (talk about the conversation or the challenges I’m facing).” Or, if you’re feeling exhausted from the busyness of the Christmas season, try reading Matthew 11:28 aloud. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Then you can pray: Instead of focusing on the situations that are stressing you out, you can focus on how God is with you and how He promises to meet your needs. A good Bible verse about God’s presence that you can pray about during the Christmas season is Matthew 1:23. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us.’)” A short scripture you can pray to in busy situations is Exodus 33:14. The verse is: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then God will meet you right where you are and help you connect with Him.
In conclusion, this Christmas season, remember that God is Immanuel. God is here with you now. By taking regular short breaks from our busy schedules and connecting with God, we can experience the beauty of God’s presence in our lives.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/YakobchukOlena
Whitney Hopler helps people discover the wonders of God and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at major media organizations including Crosswalk.com, the national publication of the Salvation Army USA, and Dotdash.com (producing the popular Angels and Miracles channel). She currently leads communications operations at George Mason University’s Center for Human Services Advancement. Connect with Whitney on her website www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.
