4 Ways to Keep the Peace this Holiday Season


The holiday season is officially among us! Christmas decorations are hung at shopping centers. Holiday drinks are out at coffee shops. Christmas music can be heard on every station. The countdown to Christmas has begun. I pray these statements bring joy and excitement, not fear or anxiety of everything you must complete before the big day, or how you’re going to provide Christmas for your family this year. The holidays aren’t always easy for everyone for many different reasons. They can bring pain to the surface we maybe didn’t know was there.
This will be the fourth year celebrating Christmas with my parents being divorced and the holidays still bring up new challenges every year. These are just a couple tips that I have personally found that truly help keep the peace, both in my heart and in my home during the holiday season.

1.   Remember the reason for the season
The reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There is hope, love, peace, and promise found in the name of Jesus. Cling to not only the story of Jesus’s birth, the reason for the season, but also the promise the king of peace (Isaiah 9:6) offers when you trust in him.

I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Psalm 85:8

2.   Let go of expectations
Holiday traditions are great, but change can be good too. Traditions can be fun to pass down from generation to generation, but they can also cause unnecessary stress by creating an expectation that things have to be perfect or done a certain way. When you are overly attached to your plan for the holidays it doesn’t allow room for flexibility in case things go wrong or if Christ has a different plan. This can lead to stress when keeping the peace (and the focus on Jesus) this holiday season. Let go of the expectations.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

3.   Keep it simple
Maybe you’ve had a crazy busy stressful year and the last thing you want to do is have an extravagant Christmas, or maybe it’s quite the opposite. Either way, getting on the same page with your friends and family and choosing to simplify the holidays or at least parts of it, can help fight off any anxiety this holiday season.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

4.   Spread the holiday cheer
Studies have shown that people tend to be more generous during the holiday season but don’t let this be out of obligation or just with finances or physical belongings. This can be with your time or simply by being kind to others. Yes, finding a cause you want to support, either with your time or financially this holiday season is a great way to give back and a biblical concept for all year round, not just the holidays. But you never know the impact simply holding the door for others or smiling could have for someone on a busy day while out shopping. Helping someone else relieve their stress may help bring you just a bit of peace this holiday season. How can you lend a helping hand or spread the holiday cheer to those in need around you? You would be surprised how much of an impact this makes and how many people around you could use some cheering up this time of year.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

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