Guest Post: How to Keep the Holidays Happy, Holy, and Unharried

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How to Keep the Holidays
Happy, Holy, and Unharried
by Merry Usman 

The holiday season often sweeps in like a storm—twinkling lights, bustling preparations, and the pressure to create “perfect” celebrations. For Christian women, the challenge isn’t merely managing logistics; it’s guarding our hearts and homes so that Christ remains at the center amid the busyness.

As Reformed Southern Baptists, we recognize that every blessing and every moment is sovereignly given by God, and our celebration must reflect His glory and truth, not cultural expectations or worldly pressures.

1. Remember the Sovereignty of God in Your Celebrations
Scripture Foundation: Psalm 18:30 — “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

• Start your season with intentional worship and Scripture reading
  
  • Dedicate time each day to read God’s Word, focusing on passages related to Christ’s birth.
    
  • Reflect on God’s sovereignty in orchestrating history to fulfill His promises.
    
• Reflect on the Nativity story in its full biblical context
  
  • Study Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 to see God’s sovereign plan unfold.
    
  • Meditate on the fulfillment of prophecies and the miraculous nature of Christ’s birth.
    
  • Remember the incarnation as the ultimate reason for celebrating.
    
• Begin gatherings with prayer and thanksgiving
  
  • Open meals, gift exchanges, and family activities with prayer.
    
  • Express gratitude for God’s provision, protection, and presence throughout the year.
    
  • Invite family members to share what God has done in their lives as a testimony of His faithfulness.
    
• Incorporate hymns or carols that glorify Christ
  
  • Select songs that emphasize Jesus’ birth, work, and glory rather than just holiday cheer.
    
  • Use music as a teaching tool to instill biblical truths in children and adults alike.
    
  • Encourage singing as a heartfelt act of worship, not just entertainment.
    
• Turn ordinary tasks into acts of worship
  
  • Dedicate decorating, cooking, and gift-preparing to God, seeing them as service to Him.
    
  • Approach each task with gratitude and a desire to honor the Lord (Colossians 3:17).
    
  • Model for others that even simple, everyday activities can glorify God when done with the right heart.
    

2. Guard Your Heart and Mind

The holiday season is rife with stress—family tensions, financial pressures, and societal expectations. Proverbs 4:23 tells us: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Practical ways to guard your heart include:

• Limiting overcommitment and choosing responsibilities that honor God.
  
• Seeking quiet moments of devotion, prayer, and meditation on Scripture.
  
• Remembering that your value is not in productivity but in being Christ’s faithful servant.
  

A heart aligned with God’s Word produces peace and joy, even amid chaos.

3. Lead Your Household in Biblical Womanhood

As women, we are called to model godly character and discipleship in our homes. Titus 2:3–5 exhorts older women to teach what is good, love their families, and live with discernment.

During the holidays, this leadership might include:

• Modeling patience and forgiveness in family interactions.
  
• Teaching children to honor Christ through worship, service, and gratitude.
  
• Prioritizing God-centered traditions over worldly expectations.
  

True leadership is not about perfection—it is about obedience and faithfulness to God’s commands.

4. Practice Biblical Generosity

Acts 20:35 reminds us: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Holiday giving should reflect Christ’s love, not societal pressure:

• Focus on thoughtful, heart-driven gifts rather than costly or extravagant items.
  
• Serve others in your community through acts of charity.
  
• Teach family members that true joy comes from giving in love and obedience to God.
  

By following God’s principles, generosity becomes a reflection of His grace rather than a source of stress.

5. Navigate Relationships with Grace and Discernment

Family dynamics can become tense during the holidays. Galatians 6:9 encourages perseverance: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Maintain grace and discernment:

• Set healthy boundaries to preserve peace.
  
• Avoid unnecessary conflicts and choose forgiveness over pride.
  
• Pray for wisdom in interactions, trusting that God works even when circumstances are challenging.
  

By reflecting Christ’s character in our relationships, we create a spiritually nourishing environment for all.

6. Celebrate Mindfully, Rooted in Scripture

The holidays are not about spectacle—they are about celebrating the coming of our Savior. Mindful, Scripture-centered practices might include:

• Advent reflections focused on Christ’s incarnation.
  
• Family devotions that discuss God’s redemptive plan.
  
• Teaching discernment, especially in avoiding false teachings and worldly messages around the season.
  

Mindfulness grounded in God’s Word ensures that celebrations nurture faith, not mere festivity.

7. Find Joy in Christ Alone

Philippians 4:4 commands: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Circumstances may not always align with our plans, but joy rooted in Christ is unshakable:

• Rejoice in God’s sovereignty and providence.
  
• Embrace small blessings as evidence of His care.
  
• Model gratitude and worship even amid trials, demonstrating faith to your household.
  

Joy in Christ transforms ordinary celebrations into acts of worship.

Practical Steps for a Christ-Centered Holiday Season

1. Begin each day with Scripture reading and prayer.
   
2. Evaluate commitments: retain only what glorifies God.
   
3. Center family traditions on Scripture and worship.
   
4. Give generously with a heart focused on obedience.
   
5. Practice grace and maintain discernment in relationships.
   
6. Use the season to teach children biblical truths and discernment.
   
7. Rejoice in Christ, trusting His sovereignty and care.
   

Closing Reflection

The holidays are not about perfection, prosperity, or worldly recognition—they are about proclaiming God’s glory and rejoicing in His mercy. By centering Christ, guarding your heart, and modeling biblical womanhood, Christian women can create celebrations that honor God, nurture their families, and reflect His eternal truth.

This season, let your light shine—not through outward displays, but through faithful obedience, joy in Christ, and discernment rooted in Scripture.

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Merry Usman is a Christian marketing specialist and a devoted Christian writer who loves weaving stories that inspire faith, strengthen hearts, and shine the light of Jesus.