With Christmas nearly upon us, you may feel more panic over your to-do list than wonder at Christ’s coming. If Jesus knocked at my door today, I’d probably mutter, “There’s no room here,” just like the innkeeper at Bethlehem. Then I’d get back to my mile-long list. Back in October, I read all about how you should prepare for Christmas early to enjoy a peaceful Advent season, but it must not have stuck, ‘cause I’m doing all my preparations NOW!
We can be knee deep in Christmas with our hearts far from Christ.
Sometimes we’re so busy in the holiday rush that we neglect the most important thing: preparing our hearts for Jesus. Here are some ways to tend our hearts, not just during Advent, but all year long.
Quiet Our Hearts
Taking just five minutes to be quiet and focus on our Savior can change the landscape of our hearts during a stressful season. I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of the “Be still and know that I am God” verse. Remember this when you’re at a crowded shopping mall:
Come Clean
As much as we enjoy the holiday season, it can add MORE to our already busy lives: more activities, more shopping, more work in the kitchen, and more stress (along with all the joy, right?). Before I know it, I start to fret and get snappy; a layer of frustration and resentment builds up inside. Nothing frees my heart like taking a few minutes to humble myself, confess my sins, and ask God to cleanse me.
Invite Our Savior to Come in
One of the most intriguing miracles of the New Testament is Jesus making his home in our hearts. Open the door of your heart. Ask Jesus to come and show himself to you. Draw near to him for fellowship as you go about your everyday activities and as you work on Christmas preparations as well.
Ephesians 3:17, NLT
Ask God to Heal our Broken Places
High expectations of a joyous season can weigh heavy on hearts. Christmas may bring painful reminders of dysfunctional families, struggles with singleness, or the loss of a loved one. God is waiting right now for you to pour out your heart and tell Him how you feel. Here’s a promise we can count on:
Ask God to Renew our Hearts
You may be dragging a weary heart around as you push through extra activities and responsibilities. Maybe a long, draining year has robbed your strength. Stop for a few minutes with the Shepherd of your soul to reflect on this:
Whether our hearts need to be quieted, cleansed, healed, or renewed, God will meet that need as we draw near to Him. Will you join me in setting aside a few minutes each day to prepare our hearts for Jesus as we celebrate His birth?
This is a re-edit of a December 2014 post.
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
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Linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRa Linkup, Mary Geisen’s #TellHisStory, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, and Lyli Dunbar’s #FaithonFire. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
We must remember always the true meaning of Christmas and have plenty or ALL ROOM for Jesus first! Great post!
Yes, you’re right, Tayrina. May God give us grace.
So good. I keep coming back to the truth that it’s all about relationship. Our celebrations are passing things, but the bedrock is our knowledge of Christ as Savior and Lord. Thanks, Betsy.
Yes, Michele. We’ll still have that relationship, Emmanuel, come January.
Love these tips Betsy! I’ve tried this year to stay relaxed and keep a peace-filled home. There is so much preparation that goes into holiday visits, parties, school programs, the list could go on and on. May we all take these tips to heart and apply them so we can maintain joy this Christmas:) Merry Christmas friend!
Thanks, Kristine. I’m trying to do the same. I did manage to finish Christmas shopping last week, that always takes a burden off. Don’t know why I can’t do it in November, but I don’t. Trying to draw near and enjoy Jesus now.
I love that you mention asking Him for His cleansing… of the heart, attitude, thoughts… this is something we don’t naturally think about when it comes to preparing for Christmas, but so important before we do anything else! Thankful for your words today, Betsy, and you! Blessings, friend!!! #RaRaLinkup
I know what you mean, Christine. Honestly, I don’t naturally think of repentance ANYTIME! (My fallen nature!) But it’s always so important isn’t it!
“We can be knee deep in Christmas with our hearts far from Christ.” So sad, but oh so very true. My husband and I have been making a point to stop, reflect and pray before every dinner in the days leading up to Christmas to prepare our hearts for celebrating the birth of our Savior. That has really helped us focus on what is truly important! Great reminders Betsy!
How wonderful that you and your husband are stopping to pray before dinner. Lighting our advent wreath and reading scripture is helping us helping us too. Blessings on your holiday season, Lauren.
“We can be knee deep in Christmas with our hearts far from Christ.” So very true. We can get so caught up with the commercialism of Christmas that we forget what this season is about; the birth of a Savior. Thank you for this reminder.
Thanks for reading today, Samantha. Blessings to your family.
“Quiet your heart” – that’s the one speaking the most to me right now. Thanks for these 5 tips, Betsy. They’re really critical for this time of year, well, for ANY time of the year! 🙂
I need to quiet my heart too, Lisa. May God give us many moments to do so. 🙂
Great post, Betsy! The reminder to invite Jesus into my days especially resonated with me. I’ve purposed to have a Christmas season that isn’t more stress than joy. But even still, I sometimes forget to invite Jesus into the “doing” of my days. Thanks for that reminder. Have a joy-filled CHRISTmas, friend!
You’re reminding me all over again to invite Him into my day too! Thanks Jeanne, I need him so very much.
Wonderful verses to start a busy day, Betsy. And I appreciate the wisdom of tending our hearts all year long, not just during Advent. Christmas blessings to you today!
Blessings to you too, Lois.
Betsy, this song is running through my mind / heart as I read your post …’oh come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.’
Merry Christmas to you, friend …
Love that old song, Linda. Thanks for the reminder.
I appreciate that you addressed the fact that Christmas may be a reminder to some of us of our dysfunctional families. This is true for me this year especially. A good reminder to hand that over to Jesus. Thank you.
Grace to you my friend, as you hand it all over to Jesus. Merry Christmas
Amen, my friend! I especially needed the reminder to confess and let Jesus do the cleansing. I’ve got a bad ‘tude going on about some things at work :/.
Lifting up a prayer for you and your job now, Anita!
Beautiful words if life and wisdom here, Betsy. Each one of these speaks of newness … Of fresh starts. I’m so encouraged!
Thank you Dianne. May your Christmas be blessed, friend.
Amen, Betsy. It’s amazing how even if we neglect just one of these it can adversely affect our relationship with God. He is still gracious and loving, but there it’s like there’s static in the airwaves. Thank you for sharing this. Such important reminders here.
Blessings to you this Christmas, Abby. May the Lord give us lots of grace to keep seeking Him in all the Christmas hustle and bustle!
I loved this post. It is so easy to brush aside the reason for Christmas to make room for the busyness. Reading this really challenged me to put aside a few minutes every day this season to grow closer to God and to thank Him for His marvelous gift. Thanks so much for sharing : )
Grace to you, friend. Thanks so much for reading. 🙂
What an excellent post in exhorting us to trust, rely on, and seek the Lord during a time usually filled with distractions and worries. I appreciate you sharing this with us at Grace & Truth, Betsy!
Thanks so much for reading, Holly. Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate Christ’s coming.
Love this! I’m reminded of a saying long ago that we can be so busy for the Kingdom that we neglect the King. I want to be busy for him while focusing on and loving the Lord!
Beautiful. Such an encouragement and joy to read here today.