The Christmas season is often so busy that it can be easy to miss the reason why you’re celebrating. God’s presence as Immanuel (“God with us”) is the core message of Christmas. Even with your busy schedule this season, you can still connect with God’s presence with you. Here are five quick ways to connect with God’s presence during the busy Christmas season. Each of these easy breaks can help you experience God – and the peace and joy that come from being aware of God’s presence – no matter how complete your December calendar is.
1. Sing your heart out for a few minutes: Music is a powerful tool for focusing on God. You probably have lots of Christmas songs running through your mind anyway, so sing one of them for a few minutes. Choose a sacred Christmas carol that focuses on Jesus’ birth rather than a secular Christmas song about Santa, reindeer, or snowmen. There are many excellent possibilities, including “Joy to the World”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, “O Holy Night,” “Go to Tell It on the Mountain,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The unique, God-given voice you have is an instrument you can use to worship, and using your voice to sing to God is a powerful way to connect with him personally. When you’re driving, cooking, baking, or wrapping Christmas gifts (or at any other time you like), enjoy singing a Christmas carol to the fullest! Don’t worry about what you sound like musically, since this isn’t a performance. Just focus on expressing yourself authentically to God while you sing. In the process, you’ll experience the joy of connecting with God as one of his beloved children. Psalm 98:4 encourages you to: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Even more wonderfully, Zephaniah 3:17 reveals that God “will rejoice over you with singing.” When you sing to God, you’re responding to a Heavenly Father who is already delighting in you so much that he sings love songs for you! Singing a Christmas song can also help you focus on what matters most this Christmas season. By choosing a phrase from a song (such as “Christ the Savior is born”) and repeating it, you can redirect your mind away from holiday stress and focus on Jesus this Christmas.
2. Let Christmas lights remind you that God’s light shines in the world’s darkness: The Christmas season is full of light. Whenever you need encouragement as you navigate the darkness in this fallen world, let Christmas lights remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World, bringing real hope. Light a candle at home or at work, take a short walk or drive to enjoy Christmas lights in your local area, or sit in front of your Christmas tree or fireplace for a quick break. While you’re looking at the lights, reflect on the light of hope and wisdom that Jesus shines in our dark world – and how light is always stronger than darkness, both spiritually and physically. John 1:5 says about Jesus: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Let yourself be inspired by the beauty of the light to worship God, who created it. Think about Jesus’ wonderful words in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ’As you enjoy the glow of Christmas lights, let go of any dark thoughts you may have about the challenges you’re facing. Say a short prayer thanking Jesus for being the Light that overcomes all darkness. Remember that Jesus is right there with you, shining his light into your life, and receive the peace Jesus wants you to experience. Christmas lights can remind you that Jesus is with you, even in the middle of your most stressful holiday experiences. Don’t let the darkness of your challenges, like family conflicts or money issues, worry you this Christmas season. Jesus’ light is much stronger than the darkness in your life, so pray about all your concerns and trust Jesus to help you with each one of them. As you look at lights this Christmas, think about Jesus’ tremendous promise to you in John 16:33: “… in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
3. Say a short prayer for someone in need: Sometimes you can stress yourself out from focusing too much on your own expectations and schedule during the Christmas season. Change your perspective and let God’s love flow through your life by saying short prayers for the people you see struggling this season. Don’t worry about trying to go through an extensive prayer list. Just offer a brief prayer when you notice that you’re thinking about people you know who need help. Pray for one person at a time, whenever you feel inclined to do so. Ask God to meet that person’s needs this Christmas and give them peace. By praying for people in need, one by one, you can experience a deeper connection to God as God’s love flows through your life and into the lives of others. The best way to connect with God is through love, because God’s core nature is love. So, look beyond your own world and pay attention to the people around you, like a grocery store cashier who looks exhausted, a coworker who needs help with a project, or a friend or family member who’s dealing with a personal crisis. The Bible calls you to share in the struggles of those around you, and prayer is the quickest and most powerful way to do that. Galatians 6:2 encourages you to: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When you pray for someone else, you help yourself along with them, because you’re lining up your heart with God’s heart. This gives you opportunities to participate in the true spirit of Christmas, which is spreading God’s love.
4. Let your breath remind you of God’s Spirit with you: The Christmas season is full of joy, but it can also be hectic. In the middle of the decorating, shopping, and celebrations, it can be easy to forget the real reason for the season: the gift of God’s presence with you. An excellent and simple tool you already have to stay connected to God is your breath. Think of your breath as a constant, gentle reminder of God’s Holy Spirit within you, just as Job 33:4 says: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Every single breath you take is a fresh gift from your Creator. To connect with God through your breath this Christmas season, take short breaks throughout your busy days and evenings to pay close attention to your breathing. Gently close your eyes. Then, slowly draw a deep breath in through your nose, letting your stomach and chest rise like the air is filling a balloon. Finally, slowly let the breath out through your mouth or nose, feeling your body relax. As you do this, become aware of the sensations of breathing. Notice the cool air entering your body and the warm air leaving it. Feel the gentle rise and fall of your chest and belly. Simply focusing on your breath helps calm your body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. Then, you can connect this calm breathing to the Christmas story. As you breathe in, you can quietly think of God’s presence with you. As you breathe out, you can release the stress of the season and rest in God’s complete and unconditional love for you. When you do this kind of mindful breathing, you can become more aware of sensing God’s Spirit. Ask God to help you hear from him, and then listen. You might become aware of God’s presence through a feeling of peace or joy, an inspiring thought like a fresh idea or clear guidance, or in some other way. Using your breath to connect with God is something you can do anytime and anywhere you want to move closer to your Creator.
5. Read a Bible verse about God’s presence and pray it: In the middle of your busy day, take a few minutes to pull up a single Bible verse that speaks to you about God’s loving presence. Then pray that verse back to God, asking the Holy Spirit to bring its truth to bear on your current situation. Hebrews 4:12 describes how the Bible’s truths are active and can change your life powerfully when you apply them: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” For instance, when you feel anxious about your schedule or overwhelmed by all the responsibilities you face, you can read and pray Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” After reading the verse out loud, you can pray something like: “Holy Spirit, please make this promise real for me right now. Help me feel your presence going before me as I face this [mention the conversation, or task you face].” Or, if you’re feeling exhausted by the Christmas season’s demands, you can read Matthew 11:28 out loud: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Then, you can pray something like: “Jesus, I’m feeling weary and burdened right now. Please give me some rest and send me the renewal and revival I need.” Instead of focusing on the situations that are making you feel stressed, you can concentrate on how God is right there with you and how he promises to meet your needs. A good Christmas season Bible verse about God’s presence you can pray 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 verse you can pray in hectic situations is Exodus 33:14: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” When you take a break to pray God’s Word back to him and apply it right away, God will meet you exactly where you are and help you connect with him.
In conclusion, this Christmas season, remember that God is Immanuel. God is present right here and now with you. By taking regular, brief breaks from your busyness to connect with God, you can experience the wonder of God’s presence in your life.
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