Christmas is just around the corner!
Though it’s a time of joy and merriment, the hustle and bustle of this season can still take its toll on a lot of people.
You, too, might still have a lot on your Christmas to-do list: buying gifts, organizing parties, and working nonstop to make sure that the holidays would be well-spent.
But, Christmas is not just about gift-giving, festivities, decorating, and all that. Ultimately, it is about Jesus.
Luke 19:10 says that Jesus’ goal is to bring salvation, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” And because He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NIV), He brings peace and rest to those who are weary.
Accept the peace that only God can bring. Here are 4 ways to rest in Him this holiday season:
1. Remember God’s goodness
Look back and recount all the wonderful deeds God has done for you.
Yes, a lot has happened this year, but this time of rest is a chance to recall the things that you’re still grateful for. Make a gratitude list and lift all of those to God in thanksgiving!
Allow yourself to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. Hearts are easily troubled when you lose that sense of wonder of who God is. As you fixed your eyes on Him, peace will reign over your hearts.
“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalms 103:1-5 NIV)
2. Express your neediness of God
Sometimes, Christmas preparations result to irritation and crankiness. Having a lot of things on your plate could snatch you away from the true essence of Christmas.
Here’s the truth: Jesus is all you need.
He is the reason for this season. Take time to reflect on who Jesus is because the more you see His beauty, holiness, love, and kindness, the more you’ll realize how desperately you need Him. Allow your need for the Savior to bring rest to your weary soul. Allow that truth to lift all the pressure off your shoulders.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NIV)
3. Seek God’s stillness
There is a chance that being busy is just a way to disguise deeper hurts.
You might unconsciously spend too much time filling the emptiness and holiday blues you feel through festivities and hustles. However, this can result to exhaustion which can prevent you from savoring the beauty of this season.
Imagine what could happen if you incorporate Jesus in everything! Surrender your to-do list to God and allow Him to embrace you. Savor the beauty of His presence as you reflect on Him through devotion and meditation.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10 NIV)
4. Trust God’s faithfulness
Financial stress, unresolved family issues, broken dreams, hidden hurts, loss, and other tragedies–these are just some of the many reasons why people do not have peace during this season.
Yet God invites His people to trust Him amid all these.
Trust Jesus, the Bread of Life, more than the bread you eat. Trust that He can mend and restore relationships. Trust that you are not alone because He is Immanuel (God with us). And trust God who can make your Christmas an enjoyable season to celebrate.
God is trustworthy. So regardless of your present situation, lift all those worries to God and allow Him to change you from the inside out.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV)
Just as the psalmist said in Psalm 103, command your soul to rest in Him. Remember the good works He has done for you. Bask in the true meaning why we celebrate this season. Express your need of Him. And lastly, practice stilling your heart and mind before Him.
Jesus is the only reason why we can find true rest in this season. If you are longing to experience the insurmountable peace, come to Jesus fully and He will surely give you rest.
Do you want to maximize your devotion time with the Lord during the Christmas season?
Experience God’s rest with Tanglaw App – the first Filipino devotional mobile application in audio and text format. You may download the Tanglaw app for FREE! You can also stream it on Spotify and Apple Podcast, and all major podcasts worldwide.
