My Tips for Creating a Slow, Christ-Centred Christmas
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The Christmas season can easily become overwhelming. Already this year, with exams and plans to celebrate a whole two weeks early with one side of the family, I’ve found myself feeling behind on my preparations.
If we’re not careful, the busyness can crowd out the quiet wonder that makes Christmas truly special in the first place. I believe the most meaningful celebrations happen when we slow down and invite Jesus to be at the centre of the season, so writing this is a reminder for myself, too. I want to relax into December with peaceful habits and traditions that bring me closer to Jesus.
What Do I Mean By ‘Slow’?
To be clear, I don’t mean doing nothing. I mean doing what matters and thinking carefully about the choices we make. I mean choosing stillness over rush, intention over stress, presence over performance.
Slowing down means leaving space for what truly matters: wonder, worship, rest, and connection. A slow Christmas means creating margin instead of cramming the calendar with commitments and activities. Doing this gives us the space to notice God’s goodness and celebrate the miracle of Christ coming near.
Each year, I wonder anew at the word ‘Emmanuel’. It means ‘God is with us’. No other religion has a present, kind God who chose to come to us, because we could never get to Him. This is why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. We can’t let Jesus be an afterthought, squeezed in between the big shop and Christmas movies.
My Tips for Creating a Slow, Christ-Centred Christmas
1. Pray Over Your Plans
Ask God to guide you through this busy season. As it says in Proverbs 16:9, ‘In his heart, man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.’
2. Build a Simple Daily Bible Reading Rhythm
Opening your bible and reading a couple of verses will be of great benefit, posturing your heart towards God each day. If a daily habit feels out of reach, try setting aside a few evenings to read the Christmas story — a little at a time. For example:
- Night 1: Luke 1:26-38 — the angel speaking to Mary.
- Night 2: Luke 2:1-7 — the birth of Jesus.
- Night 3: Luke 2:8-20 — the shepherds and the good news.
Pause after each section. Ask yourself what it reveals about the character of God. Why did He choose those people, that place, and time, and what could it mean for your life today?
Alternatively, you could use a resource. This year, we’ve chosen to go with The Biggest Story Advent Lift-the-Flap Book. My two youngest children have been working their way through The Biggest Story Bible Storybook and they’ve loved it, so it was an obvious choice when I saw it on sale at Cedar and Circle. I plan to close the flaps and reuse it again next year.
3. Choose Traditions that Draw You Closer to God
Focus on creating things you can do year after year that connect you as a family and create deep-seated memories. Things like baking a birthday cake for Jesus, setting up a nativity scene and having the wise men ‘travel’ around your home, taking it in turns to move them a little each day.
We also enjoy writing a letter of gratitude to God for all he has blessed us with through the year. This can be done instead of a wish list letter to Father Christmas. It shifts our perspective from wanting and self-centredness to gratitude and an awareness of all we have.
4. Make your Gatherings Simple and Unhurried
Hospitality is less about impressing and more about welcoming, just as Christ has welcomed us. Go for something simple and quick to put together, but warming and friendly. Keep the focus on conversation and connection rather than grand feasts and perfection. Community and fellowship are important, but there is no need to go overboard. I like to invite people over for a hot chocolate and a homemade Christmas cookie (I love snickerdoodles), or a cheeseboard. Simple!
5. Carve out Time for Silence
Psalm 46:10 encourages us to ‘Be still and know that I am God’, but Christmas can be noisy, and to reflect, silence is important.
Having your phone beside you or in your pocket unconsciously takes your focus away from the moment, making it harder to have uninterrupted time with God. I’d recommend putting your phone away in a different room for a few hours each day, or perhaps even a whole day if there’s no chance someone might need to contact you. I also have an app called Be Present, which blocks most of my apps except those I have set to keep available. I use it for a few hours each day and set it up for the evening too.
6. Let Generosity be Worship
Our church has a partnership with a food bank called Storehouse. Throughout the year, we donate various items, and in December there is the opportunity to donate items for Christmas hampers so people in need can have a nice festive dinner. Other ideas for giving back include participating in Angel Tree or adding a personal note of encouragement to a small gift for someone who might feel lonely or overlooked. You could also make a point of reaching out to those who have lost loved ones this year. They will be feeling that loss far more deeply at Christmas time.
7. Play Christ-Centred Christmas Carols
Obviously, this is for those times when you’re not choosing silence and reflection! Christmas carols are often gentle, offering a sense of calm and peace. The words will ground you and shift your focus towards Christ. They also make your home feel more Christmassy!
Some Thoughts on Exiting the Season Closer to God
Remember, creating a slow Christ-centred Christmas isn’t about doing less because you’re lazy. It’s about making wise, considered choices and letting go of unnecessary things to make more space for what’s important.
When we lean into quiet, intention, and worship, Christmas becomes more than a season of busyness. It becomes a celebration of the miracle of God becoming flesh and drawing near to us. You’re also more likely to begin January without feeling completely burned out, and that can only be a good thing!
Thanks For Stopping By
If you’ve been inspired by this post, you might find the following links useful too…
A Beginner’s Guide to Celebrating Advent as a Christian
My Tips for Reading the Bible as a Busy Mum
What to Write in a Christian Christmas Card
