Finding Peace This Christmas 

The Christmas season is upon us! Normally, it is a time filled with joy and tradition, but for many families, it can also bring a whirlwind of activity that threatens to overshadow the season’s true meaning. At King’s Schools in Shoreline, near Seattle, Washington, we understand that Christmas stress can strain families and distract from the essential elements of faith, family, and spiritual growth. As you prepare for this season, here are a few practical strategies to help your family manage the holiday busyness while staying grounded in the true reason for the season: The Prince of Peace. 

Embrace Intentional Slowing to Cultivate Peace 

As the season’s pace quickens, end of the year assignments, shopping, and scheduling conflicts can overwhelm and short circuit our calendars. Make the decision to instead, deliberately choose moments to slow down. Establish small but meaningful family routines that help everyone decompress, such as quiet prayer times, shared readings of Scripture, or singing carols together. Take a full day of the week to celebrate Sabbath and put all obligations and responsibilities on pause for 24 hours. Allow these moments to create a sense of peace and stillness, reminding your family of God’s presence and the true purpose of Christmas. 

Encourage children to take part in these routines by involving them in choosing a Bible verse to discuss or selecting a worship song to sing. This fosters family bonding while reinforcing that the holiday season is more than just events and gifts—it’s a time to draw nearer to God. 

Prioritize Faith and Family in Scheduling 

Regarding that busy calendar, whether it be holiday parties or school events, the season can quickly become overbooked. Take time as a family to prioritize events that focus on deepening your faith and focusing on Jesus to bring everyone closer. Before committing to any invitation, ask: Does this activity strengthen my faith, promote fellowship, or focus on family time? When you select events through this lens, you’re more likely to focus on activities that align with your family’s values which will help bring you and your family peace. 

Additionally, consider setting aside a family night where you intentionally focus on a holiday tradition that nurtures your faith—like baking together, reading the Christmas story, or volunteering. By keeping schedules simple, you ensure that Christ remains at the center of the celebrations. 

Manage Holiday Stress Through Prayer and Reflection 

Christmas can bring stress, even with the best intentions. Encourage each family member to turn to prayer as a source of strength and calm. Invite your children to voice their hopes, worries, and what they’re grateful for in prayer, helping them realize that they can bring their stress to God. 

Alongside prayer, encourage reflection as a way to process any holiday-related stress. Set aside time as a family each week to discuss how everyone is feeling and offer words of encouragement and prayer for one another. This can be a meaningful way to address holiday stress together, inviting God’s peace into your family’s hearts. 

Focus on Giving and Gratitude as Acts of Faith 

In the busy gift-giving season, consider shifting focus from receiving gifts to being generous and giving as a reflection of Christ’s love. Help your children experience the joy of giving through acts of service, such as donating toys, visiting a nursing home, or volunteering at a local shelter. These actions remind them that true joy comes from reflecting God’s love to others. 

Gratitude is another powerful antidote to holiday stress. Spend time around the dinner table or in evening prayers discussing what each family member is thankful for. This intentional focus on blessings reinforces the abundance of God’s provision and helps your family center on the values of gratitude and grace. 

Teach the Value of Rest and Renewal 

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to teach children about God’s design for rest. Emphasize the importance of Sabbath rest by scheduling downtime—unstructured moments to simply be together, whether that means cozying up with a book, enjoying a family movie, or spending time outdoors. These restful pauses help restore energy, keeping the season from becoming overwhelming. 

When children see parents making rest a priority, they learn that God values balance. Through rest, the whole family can enter each holiday activity refreshed and ready to honor God in both action and attitude. 

Keep Christ at the Center of Holiday Celebrations 

The biggest danger in the busyness of Christmas is the danger of missing the point of why believers celebrate Christmas. More than it ever has been, it is so important to remind your family that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Create traditions that highlight the story of Christ, such as setting up a nativity scene, reading the Christmas story from Luke 2, or having a birthday party for Jesus. By focusing on Christ’s birth, you help anchor your family in the true significance of the holiday season. 

At King’s Schools, we recognize the importance of supporting Christian families through the busy holiday season. By embracing these simple practices, families can find peace, stay connected to their faith, and deepen their relationships. May this season be one of joy, calm, and spiritual renewal for you and your loved ones.