• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Find Your Consultant
  • Compassion
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • View Our Catalog
  • Consultant Login

Mary & Martha

  • Join
  • Host
  • Shop
  • About

How to Be Still This Holiday Season

December 20, 2021 by DaySpring

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. (Psalm 62:5 CSB)

Are you resting in God alone during this season? The holidays, what should be a sweet time of rest with family, has turned into a chaotic and busy whirlwind. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We and our parent company, DaySpring, want to encourage you to rest in God alone during a season that is truly all about Him. We know that it’s difficult to remember at times, because we’re in the thick of it ourselves, but we want to walk alongside you and encourage you through it all. Below, some of us have shared how we’re intentionally choosing to be still and rest in the Lord alone this holiday season.

Be still…feels near to impossible.  But, just because something “feels” one way doesn’t make it true. My Thanksgiving is busy. We usually host 40-50 people. A big party in the garage. Lots of food, family, and friends who are family. We invite everyone we can think of and yes, if you know someone who doesn’t have anywhere to go for dinner…send them our way! One way I work on being still in the midst of what can seem somewhat crazy and chaotic, is prayer. No big plan or large amount of time needed. I just pray over the guest list. I open up evite on my phone and read through the names, saying short breath prayers about each person or even just saying their names out loud to God. That’s the amazing thing about prayer…God already knows. It’s a very small, but I think, significant way to be still, be grateful, and focus on others throughout the holiday season. – Joy

I’m moving into a new house the week after Thanksgiving, and I just got a brand new puppy – exciting life changes that seem to be doing anything but allowing me to be still during this season. One way that my family intentionally slows down during the holidays is our Thanksgiving tradition of gratitude. We all take turns writing in a notebook (the same one we’ve been using since the year my parents got married) with the year, some life updates, and what we’re grateful for that year. It allows us to slow down, remember what’s truly important, and thank God for the tremendous blessings He’s given us. – Jordan

Our family plans to take advantage of the timing of Christmas Day this year. It sits right in the middle of the week. With the dynamic of days before and after Christmas available for travel, we are excited that this helps to create space for us to be still. We expect to keep Christmas Eve much calmer, somber and focused on the coming Savior – and spend Christmas Day in full celebration! I am looking forward to that holy and sacred Christmas Eve space, to allow us to better experience the fulfillment of all our Advent hopes and expectations. – Tony

A couple of years ago I made a declaration – no big Christmas dinner. Why? Don’t I like to cook? Yes, I love to cook. Don’t I want the Norman Rockwell dinner scene? I would love that, but it’s not possible. Why did I cancel the big Christmas dinner?  Simply because I want to play. I want to play all day with my grandchildren. I want to set up their dollhouse and Paw Patrol tower and play. I want curl upon on the couch with them and watch movies in our jammies all day. I want to drink coffee and snuggle. I don’t want to watch the rolls so they don’t burn, or slice the turkey or get the lumps out of the gravy. No big Christmas dinner. On Christmas morning I set out the stockings, pop in a breakfast casserole (the make-ahead kind) and my friends at Pillsbury provide the cinnamon rolls! Eat when you want, I’m busy playing. – Kim

As a full-time, working mother with two kids who are involved in so many after-school activities, it’s a hard season to try to “be still.” It just doesn’t happen. However, I always know that if I can get my family and the suitcases and the snacks and the iPads in the van, I’m all set for a relaxing Thanksgiving at my Mom’s house. She lives in the middle of nowhere (little-to-no reception available), she can’t wait to play with the kids, she makes my favorite dishes, she takes care of the details, and there’s no expectations – only love. I find myself scanning the room and thanking God for each and every family member. – Gini

<< Previous
Next >>

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Goodbye Winter. Hello Spring.
  • Who Was the Real St. Patrick?
  • Five Strategies for Planning the Perfect Easter Celebration
  • Practicing Lent
  • Charcuterie Snack Board Inspiration

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter

Thanks for subscribing to the Mary & Martha newsletter.

* PLEASE ENTER A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS
Bringing Eternal Hope & Encouragement
to every home, everyday
Privacy Policy • CA Privacy Notice • CA Do Not Sell

Copyright ©2023 Mary & Martha

  • Join Mary & Martha
  • Find a Consultant
  • Host a Gathering
  • Contact Us
X

I Know a Consultant

Give Me a Consultant

Join Now

Name Title City State