During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, I love to play the song “Winter Snow” by Audrey Assad. The song describes the simplicity of Jesus’ birth. The God of the Universe, our King and Savior, could have come into the world with trumpets blaring and banners waving. He could have been carried by a fleet of angels with thunder and lightning flashing to announce his arrival. Instead, He came as an innocent, little baby from the womb of a simple, humble young woman. He chose to be born in a filthy manger surrounded by animals instead of a royal court. His birth was like winter snow: “It was quiet; it was soft and slow.”
I listen to this song every year to remind myself of the true reason for the season. We can easily be swept up in the whirlwind of activities and obligations, running from one event to the next, with an endless list of tasks and decorations to buy from TJ Maxx. Instead, let us remember that this season is about celebrating the greatest gift our world has received: God becoming Man to save us so that we may have eternal life with Him.
Four Ways to Celebrate With Peace, Not Burnout
Below are four ways to keep the true reason for the season at the center of our celebration, even when the chaos tries to invade our peace.
1) Skip the Advent Calendar This Year
I used to buy an Advent calendar and intend to do something special and creative with my children each day, like a fun activity or an Advent-themed treat. By the second week, I would feel burned out and unmotivated to keep going. If a daily Advent calendar feels like too much, may I suggest a weekly activity instead? As a family, you can light a candle on your Advent wreath every Sunday and say a simple prayer or read a short passage from Scripture. Encourage one another to set one personal or spiritual goal for Advent to prepare your hearts for the coming of Jesus. Create a physical space, like a little altar or prayer corner, for anyone to use for silent prayer and contemplation.
The point is to keep it simple and sustainable instead of pressuring yourself to make each day perfect. These small acts have the potential to make a big impact on your kids through connection and reflection. Even when it doesn’t feel like enough, have faith that the Lord will fill in the gaps.
2) Decorate Simply and Imperfectly
If the idea of pulling out multiple boxes of Christmas decorations from the attic stresses you out, leave them in there. Okay . . . maybe you can pull out one box. All you really need are a few pieces—a Christmas tree, a Nativity set, and some twinkle lights—to make a space feel festive. While there may be a temptation to transform your home into a Pinterest-worthy or Instagram showcase, let us remember that Jesus was welcomed in the simplest and most modest of settings.
If your children are old enough, delegate decorating the Christmas tree to them. Give them this task while you sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee. I gave my kids ownership of the tree one year, and now it has become a cherished tradition. They feel a special connection with certain ornaments that produce warm memories every time they get to hang them up. The tree may not look perfect, and the ornaments probably won’t be evenly distributed, but the memory-making will shine through the imperfections.
This season, commit to simplifying, letting go, and enjoying the more important things. And invite your children to take part in making your home special.
3) Cut Back on Christmas Cards and Presents
Christmas cards are very meaningful, and I love how a nice, handwritten card makes me feel. While Christmas cards provide a special way of connecting people, it can still be an overwhelming process. I used to feel an immense amount of pressure to take beautiful family photos each year to mail out to hundreds of loved ones around the world. Now, in stressful years, I have let this part of Christmas go. Instead, I focus on spending quality time with the ones I love most by making intentional time to call or video chat with those I can’t regularly visit.
In recent years, presents have become an insurmountable task. I often see families buying a staggering number of gifts: multiple presents for each child in the family, along with presents from “Santa,” not to mention gifts for friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors. And personally, I have felt overwhelmed with wish lists and toys that inevitably become clutter. To remedy the overwhelm, some years I opt to give a group gift to my children, such as a game console or trampoline for the backyard. In other years, we have gifted a family outing, such as a theme park or a road trip to a fun city.
4) Be Selective With Parties and Events
Just looking at the calendar for December drains my social battery. There are school events, parish events, family gatherings, work holiday parties, gift exchanges with friends, and not enough days in the month to attend them all. Be selective with the events you attend and what boundaries you need to put into place. Give yourself permission to say no to anything that feels like a burden rather than a gift. You do not need to feel guilty for taking a step back. Christmas is about cherishing time together, not gritting your teeth through parties that you feel obligated to attend.
And if you are planning a gathering at your home, keep it simple. Limit the number of guests instead of feeling pressure to invite everyone. Make it a potluck meal so you only need to prepare a few things. Instead of decorating, have everyone come in their favorite Christmas pajamas. That will be festive enough and maybe even produce a few laughs. Remember that people feel more welcome in a home where they feel seen instead of a home that looks perfect or impressive.
Find Christ in the Chaos
This Advent and Christmas, I invite you to let the peace and joy of Christ permeate every aspect of December. Through small acts and meaningful connections, you can find Him amidst the chaos. Let us welcome the most glorious King in the simplest of ways, in the quiet of our hearts, and in the stillness of our homes.
Maggie Kim is a wife and mother to 6 kids living in the ATX area. She became a Catholic convert in 2013 after discovering her love for the Eucharist, Sacred Tradition, and the powerful intercessory prayers of the Saints. She is a former Registered Nurse and has a passion for the pro-life movement, Natural Family Planning, childbirth, and motherhood. In her free time, she likes to read fiction novels, drink coffee, and pretend to know what she's doing in her home gym. Her husband, Paul, is a Catholic speaker so she understands the ups and downs of ministry life but loves being able to serve in this God-given mission alongside her family. You can find out more about her here.
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