How to Have Inner Peace at Christmas
The season’s busyness can add stress to our lives, so here are some thoughts about cultivating inner peace at Christmas.
Inner peace at Christmas wasn’t a thing for me the year my husband and I drove from our home in Washington state to my parents’ place in southern Alberta.
We set out with a holly, jolly outlook, anticipating a fun road trip with our three kids. The jolly part diminished a few hours later when temperatures dropped, snow began to fall, and the highway turned slick. Driving on stretches of black ice through the Rocky Mountains at night was not our idea of a good time.
The trip should have taken about twelve hours. Instead, it took twenty-four. We arrived exhausted. Somewhere along the way, Sailor-Man developed strep throat, so he greeted my folks and then went to bed.
When departure time came several days later, we discovered that below-freezing temperatures had turned our Suburban’s engine into a block of ice. One of my dad’s friends owned a car dealership, so he sent a tow truck to pull it into his commercial garage where it thawed out.
We spent one night at a friend’s place on the way home. Temperatures were still – 30 Fahrenheit, so Sailor-Man got up every hour and drove our vehicle a few miles up and down the highway to keep the engine thawed.
So much for a picture-perfect Christmas, right? Thankfully we can laugh about it now.
Our need for inner peace
No doubt you’ve experienced a less-than-picture-perfect Christmas, too. Maybe you spent it grieving the loss of someone you loved. Perhaps you looked forward to spending the holidays with distant family, but a winter storm blew in and canceled your plans (been there, done that). Maybe a tense relationship added stress to a family get-together.
The Christmas season brings feasts and festivities, but it also brings stressors: Traveling. Shopping for the perfect gift. Finding the perfect tree. Decorating the house. Baking and cooking. Entertaining guests in our homes, and attending events where others entertain us.
Amid the season’s busyness and stress, we can easily lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. When that happens, we lose our inner peace, too. But our heavenly Father desires better for us. He wants us to flourish, so He went to extremes on our behalf.
Jesus gives us inner peace
Angels announced Jesus’s birth with declarations of peace on earth, but truth be told, calm on a global scale isn’t possible unless it first begins in our hearts. And that’s one of the reasons Jesus came to earth—to gift us with the inner peace our souls crave.
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)
Inner peace is priceless. We all long for it. We might search for it in material possessions or relationships, position or power. We might even try to attain it by maintaining control over other people and our circumstances, but we won’t find it apart from the person of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)
How to experience inner peace at Christmas
Knowing Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is foundational to knowing inner peace especially during this busy and sometimes very difficult season. Making Him our focus and creating space for time alone in His presence also helps maintain our peace, but here are a few other actions we can take to keep ourselves in a healthy place.
- Release expectations
We might not even realize it, but we all have expectations about Christmas—some negative, some positive. Take a few minutes to identify yours. Write them out, and then surrender them to God. Ask Him to align your expectations with His plans. Ask Him to make your Christmas celebration (and your response to what He does) one that brings a smile to His face.
- Keep things simple
If the season’s hustle and bustle bring you joy and help you focus on Jesus, then great! Carry on, my friend. If, however, it exhausts and distracts you from Jesus, then consider scaling down. It’s okay to do so.
Enjoy a few special traditions but cut back on labor intensive tasks. If you’re hosting meals in your home, invite others to contribute to the menu. Leave room to relax with friends and family. Leave room to linger in Jesus’ s presence every day with no agenda other than to worship Him as Emmanuel, God with us.
- Press pause
Before moving onto a sailboat fulltime, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was to rise early, switch on the tree lights, and sit in silence while enjoying their sparkle.
I pondered the beauty of the Christmas story. I reflected on Mary and Joseph’s willingness to say yes to God despite the cost. I marveled at Jesus giving up heaven’s grandeur to dwell among mankind’s mess. Pressing pause to worship better equipped me for whatever came my way.
Moving onto the boat meant giving up my tree tradition, but I still rise early to ponder, reflect, and marvel at the mystery and beauty of God’s amazing love made manifest through Jesus. Find something that works for you and bask in the moment.
Inner peace is possible at Christmas
I think we all agree that the Christmas season can be difficult for numerous reasons. No matter what challenge you face, invite God to guard your heart and lead you into a place of peace this season. I promise He’ll answer with a yes.
How about you?
Answer one of the following questions, and write it in the comment section so we can learn from one another, okay?
* What’s one expectation you can surrender to the Lord this Christmas?
* What’s one thing you can do to simplify this season?
* What’s your favorite way to pause and meditate on Jesus during the Christmas season?
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hi Grace,
Thank you for these words of encouragement.
I am going to simplify things this Christmas by not putting on the burden of thinking I have to bake 6+ kinds of Christmas cookies. 😊
My family is small. One son in Saskatoon and a daughter in Calgary,plus a daughter closer by where I live in Morden.
It’s been a difficult year for a number of reasons, and I choose to keep things simple and reflect more on all the reasons I have to be thankful for what this season means.
Simple is good, Gloria. Take the stress out, exhale, and be fully present in the moment.
Know you are loved even if you don’t bake 6+ kinds of Christmas cookies.
Grace
Thank you. I think the expectations thing is so much a part of God’s peace. Then God’s peace floods your soul.
Hi Carolyn:
We can put so many expectations on ourselves, but letting go of them eases alot of pressure. And you’re right — then God’s peace floods our soul. May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy, my friend.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hi Grace, thank you as always. My favorite way to find inner peace at Christmas is to listen to and bask in Christian Christmas music.
Hi Diana!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. Christmas carols are so lovely. I enjoy both the old and the more contemporary. How about you?
Know you are loved,
Grace
I love all of them! 🎄
Hey, Diana! Thanks for often stopping by and leaving your comments here. In a world filled with information from countless sources, I’m humbled that you choose to read my writing and participate in this community. May your Christmas be extra special in some way this year.
Know you are loved,
Grace
When I am awake early I love to turn the tree on and reflect as well.
My Christmas plans are usually grand and I let go of things as I go along because of time, pressure, physical strain and sanity. Wondering what this Christmas could be if this year (a Christmas when we’re grieving) I start out with simpler plans and don’t have to go through the whole standard routine of grand plans that are too much and need to be adjusted. I literally just had that thought now, after reading your post.
Merry Christmas Grace & thank you!
Kathy
Hi Kathy:
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about this Christmas. I’m sorry this one holds grief for you, and I pray for the Prince of Peace to be your comfort. Your idea about starting out with simpler plans is excellent, especially in light of your situation. Give yourself permission to do whatever’s needed to navigate this season in a healthy way.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Like Katherine above, my husband are in a season of grief from the loss of his 2 oldest sisters in 6 weeks. We will do simple this year, as we reflect on good times and the knowledge that his sisters are spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
Bless you, Grace, for the many moments of inspiration that you have given me.
Merry Christmas!
Gingrr
Dear Ginger — Thank for pausing to post here amid this difficult season for you. I’m so sorry for your double loss. Doing Christmas simple this year with time to reflect on good memories is a good way to do it. May the knowledge that your sisters-in-law are with the One whom we celebrate bring you sweet peace and joy.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Thanks again Grace for sharing deep truths in God’s word.
One way to simplify is to share in the meal prep – keeping a few of the traditional recipes and making memories with preparation time together.
Experiential gifts over those that come in a box under the tree.
The reminder to see the Light of the World this season, experiencing His PEACE intentionally to pass onto the next generations. ♥️
Hi Meg!
I like your idea of keeping a few traditional recipes and then making memories by preparing them together. And your idea of giving experiential gifts rather than those wrapped in a box is also a wonderful idea. May your Christmas be extra-special in an unexpected way, my friend.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hi Grace,
Thanks for sharing your story about Sailor-man :)! Lowering expectations and focusing on Christ is our only hope…..
Warm greatings from Philly,
Damaris
Hi Damaris! Lovely to hear from you. Yes, changing our expectations can help alot in bringing inner peace at Christmastime. There’s freedom in surrendering them to the Lord. If the way our Christmas turns out can bring a smile to His face, then that’s all that matters 🙂
Know you are loved,
Grace
I always wanted the family to all be together. That’s not possible now cause people have moved. I gave up that expectation and said God whatever you have for me I will be content with it. God is good. Thank you for your encouraging words. Gina
I can relate to your response to expectations, Gina. Clinging to what we think Christmas should look like just doesn’t work for so many reasons. In surrender and contentment, we find peace.
Blessings to you and yours this season,
Grace
I am just starting church and learning all about Jesus and God .I am thoroughly enjoying it
I loved reading your book Names of God in a study group .
I especially love following you on Facebook
Keep healthy ,you and sailor man
Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025
Blessings
Linda
Hi Linda! Thanks so much for posting here. I’m excited that you’re on a spiritual journey and learning about Jesus and God. Isn’t it wonderful to know that the God who created you wants a relationship with you and has made it possible through His son, Jesus? He loves you more than words can say. Merry Christmas to you, and may the wonder of God coming to earth in human form fill you with joy and peace.
Know you are loved,
Grace