3 Reminders for this Holiday Season🎄🤍⭐️

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Thanksgiving preparation has begun, many Christmas trees have been decorated, and stockings will soon be stuffed. The Christmas gatherings and New Year's parties will follow suit. The holiday season is in full swing!

I know for me, the holiday season brings a whirlwind of emotions. The busyness of planning gatherings can be overwhelming, but the slowing down of work can be like hitting the breaks a little too fast. Spending time with family can be refreshing and comforting, but it can also bring up past pain and highlight brokenness.

Maybe for you, the holidays bring up feelings of loneliness and a reminder of what you don't have. Or maybe the holidays are an incredible season for you!

Ultimately, we all face different highs and lows when the holidays roll around each year. No matter what your holiday season looks like, we all need a little encouragement as we celebrate many incredible things together and as we look forward to what is ahead. 

Here are 3 reminders for us as we head into this upcoming season.

1. Be present.

So often, we strive and work all week, and then the holidays hit, and we aren't sure how to handle the time of rest we get. For me, I always tell myself that when the break from work or school comes, I will use my time to rest and commune with family. But then, I always slip into habits of distraction and filling my schedule back up with busyness. 

If the holiday season is busy or slow for you, it is so important that we take time to be present. There are so many joys that can come with the holiday season, and if we aren't careful, this precious season passes us by quickly. 

Throughout the next few weeks, take time to practice true rest. Be mindful of how often you are turning to a screen to "relax" or "rest". Although watching your favorite show or scrolling on social media might provide mindless entertainment, we will not be refueled or refreshed by these things.

Take time away from a screen or any other distractions you might turn to. Get some sleep. Eat good food. Spend time in fellowship with people that sharpen and refresh you. Work on a hobby that you don't normally get to invest in. Whatever it is for you, spend time away from the normal distractions to rest, reflect, and recharge for the new year.

Live in the moment with friends and family. Create meaningful conversation, spend time reflecting on God's goodness together, and prioritize laughter! Our moments with loved ones are precious. Don't let the pace of the season prevent you from being present. 

Take time to really experience this season. Lean into whatever feelings are coming up. Take time to process how you are feeling instead of distracting and numbing yourself to those emotions. Live presently in this season. And bring the highs and lows of it all to God.

2. Love others well.

It can be easy during the holidays to get caught up on ourselves--serving ourselves, receiving from others, and fixating on what we want. 

However, I challenge you to find ways this holiday season to bless others. The Christmas season reminds us of the remarkable, generous love of God to send Jesus to us. We ought to take on the attitude of Jesus! He has a heart for people and a heart of generosity.

Our call to go and make disciples still stands in this season. How can you share the Gospel and the love of Jesus in this season? How can you help those in need?

Pray about it. Ask God to give you a step of generosity you can take throughout the holidays. And boldly obey what He puts on your heart.

Let's look for ways to allow Christ's love to flow through us to others. Let's continue on in our calling to be disciple-makers.

3. Press into Jesus.

No matter what this season looks like for each of us, it is so important that we lean into Jesus.

How can you grow closer to Him in this season? What steps can you take to know Him more and more?

For me, with an influx of time to rest and recover, I want to spend time going deeper with my time in the Word. This season is an incredible opportunity for me to intentionally spend more time with Jesus and look for ways to go deeper in my faith. Maybe I can spend a few more minutes in prayer. Maybe I can find resources to pair with my time in the Word so I can glean a better understanding of it. 

For you, maybe this season is busier than most. How can you intentionally set aside time to grow closer to Jesus? How can you spend time thanking Him and rejoicing in the blessing of this season?

In the busy seasons, we must be intentional. We will never drift closer to Him or towards holiness. We have to remain disciplined to set aside time to spend with God. We have to actively pursue Him deeper if we want to grow closer to Him. 

Maybe this season really is a painful time for you. Whatever emotions you are dealing with and working through in this time, take it to God.

Again, be present in those feelings. Feel them, but don't be dominated by them. Surrender them to God. Allow Him into the vulnerable, hurting places of your heart. Turn to Him for comfort and healing. Don't run to the distractions and busyness to fill voids or numb the pain. Daily surrender your circumstances and feelings to Him. 

If this season is one of joy and peace for you, thank Him for that! Recognize His hand of blessing and joy over you. Spend time rejoicing in His goodness and faithfulness. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus came and saved you.