‘According to Britons who celebrate Christmas, the most anxiety-inducing festive activities are thinking about what Christmas presents to buy (46% say it’s stressful), how much it costs to buy them (45%) and having to shop for them in the first place (44%). This puts present-buying on a par with the financial impact of Christmas in general (42% find stressful).’ (Kirk, 2021).
Do you fall into any one of the above YouGov statistics? Have you lately been experiencing Christmas stress? Today, let’s explore how to avoid being stressed during Christmas. I would also encourage you to also read our last article on stress to learn how to overcome it.
Below are quick links to the different sections of this article:
Christmas Stress: Avoid it by focussing on Christ
The paramount way to avoid Christmas stress is to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)
Jesus is the reason for the season. He is our Prince of Peace and the scriptures tell us to have our minds fixed on Him;
‘You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.’ (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)
Sometimes we may get caught up in thinking about presents, the food menu and the Christmas decorations, that we forget to take the time to meditate on Jesus and the love that God has shown us by sending us His beloved Son;
‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16, NKJV)
Without setting the time to ponder over the meaning of the Christmas story, we will miss the point of our celebrations and end up thinking about the Christmas decorations, the food, the presents, e.t.c., putting them as our main focus instead of Christ.
By the way, Christmas is not about Santa and the Christmas tree as how the world puts it. Both of these are pagan traditions that we shouldn’t let be our centre of attention. Concentrate on Christ alone for Christmas is about our Saviour who came into this world, to take away the sins of you and me!
‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29, NKJV)
Therefore, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus this Christmas season. It is okay and very well perfect to celebrate Christmas without Santa or the Christmas tree.
Christmas Stress: Avoid it by being in prayer
‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV)
Prayer in simple terms is communicating with God. It’s one of the ways that we maintain our relationship with God. The Bible commands us to pray continuously at all times. So if you are feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks you have to accomplish for Christmas today, take a step back and be in prayer. Don’t give up beloved, keep praying about your stressful situation and the Lord will see you through.
‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God’. (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).
The verse above says we shouldn’t be anxious about anything. We shouldn’t let anything cause us to be restless; instead, we should submit our requests to God. Let us be encouraged that ‘The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.’ (Psalm 145:18, NKJV). Another verse to encourage us to pray is Proverbs 15:29 (NKJV) which states ‘The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.’
Beloved, the Lord is with us in all of our circumstances. He loves us so and He hears us when we call. Therefore let us draw near to Him.
Christmas Stress: Avoid it by singing praises to Jesus
When you are stressed, praise the Lord! When we sing praise songs to our Father with a sincere heart, our hearts are filled with joy. If you had been carrying a heavy heart, you feel uplifted. There is power in lifting up the Creator of the whole earth!
I am reminded of the story of Paul and Silas when they were in prison. The scriptures state that, ‘About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.’ (Acts 16:25-26, ESV). How amazing is God!
In this story, we can see that Paul and Silas’ circumstances didn’t stop them from praising God. Both of them were in prison, bound with chains. In their unpleasant situation, they didn’t care what time it was. Look at this, it was at midnight but they were praying and singing hymns to our Father. And thanks be to God, He broke the chains and opened the prison doors! Is there anything the Lord cannot do?
Beloved, Jesus said to us, ‘“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”’ (John 14:1, NKJV). Do not let the preparation for Christmas trouble your soul. Jesus our Prince of Peace commands us to believe in Him solely.
If lack of finances are causing you stress, I want to encourage you to give thanks and praises to God despite how bad your financial situation is. Whether you have no money to spare or spend this Christmas, Christmas can still be celebrated by offering praises to our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
May this be of comfort to you brethren.
Conclusion
‘Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.’ (Psalm 55:22, NASB2020).
As Christmas draws near, be reminded to always present your worries to God. Whatever is giving you Christmas stress this season, give it to God in prayer. Learn how to avoid being stressed during Christmas by:
1. Focussing on Christ;
2. Being in prayer;
3. And finally by singing praises to Jesus.
Jesus is our ultimate focal point at every Christmas season. Let’s get to know Him more and more and aim to please Him and not our neigbours, friends or visitors coming over to ours for Christmas.
Have a merry Christmas friends and enjoy every moment! God bless.
Next steps
1. Download these 35 Bible verses about Stress to meditate on when you get a spare moment:
2. Do you know anyone who needs to hear this today? Feel free to share this article with your loved ones who may be feeling the impact of Christmas stress this season by clicking the social sharing buttons at the bottom of this page. Thanks in advance.
Recommendations
1. Stress: Peace amid pressure (Resources for Changing Lives) by David Powlison
2. Anxious for Nothing: God’s Cure for the Cares of Your Soul by John MacArthur
References
Kirk, I. (2021). What’s the most stressful aspect of Christmas? The presents and the finances, say Brits. [Online]. Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society/
articles-reports/2021/12/16/whats-most-stressful-aspect-christmas-presents-and (Accessed: 24 December 2022)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769; King James Bible Online, 2022. www.kingjamesbibleonline.org.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
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