{"id":13093,"date":"2025-12-20T20:21:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T20:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2025-12-20T20:21:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T20:21:53","slug":"do-you-feel-the-christmas-spirit-in-your-marriage-plus-marriage-devotional-daily-devotional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/?p=13093","title":{"rendered":"Do You Feel the &#8220;Christmas Spirit&#8221; in Your Marriage? &#8211; PLUS Marriage Devotional &#8211; Daily Devotional"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/><span\/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Being on the same page at Christmas helps couples navigate the busy season with greater joy. But when one spouse doesn&#8217;t feel the Christmas Spirit, it can put a damper on the celebration. Whether it&#8217;s work obligations, health challenges, or financial hardship, it&#8217;s not always easy to get into the holiday mood. Gratefully, there are small ways to make Christmas as meaningful as it <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was meant<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to be.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Choose Meaningful Over Commercial<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So much of what we do at Christmas revolves around commercialism. We decorate with snowmen and reindeer, but forget to make the nativity the center. Shopping for gifts becomes more of a burden than a blessing, and planning for Christmas dinner becomes overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To feel the Christmas Spirit in your marriage, choices need to <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be made<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0in favor of meaningful experiences over commercial ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0might include:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cuddling by the fire, listening to Michael Bubl\u00e9&#8217;s music.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Taking a walk after dark with cups of hot cocoa in hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Reading through the Gospels in <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the month of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0December.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Many holiday events are optional, <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">so<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0couples\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">get<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to choose\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">what<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to participate in.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0I suggest scheduling a night out to discuss your plans. Decide what to enjoy and what to forego. Hopefully, by the end of your date night, you&#8217;ll both be in the Christmas Spirit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Highlight Jesus Over Presents<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Opening gifts is a wonderful tradition, and is usually at the center of our Christmas celebration. However, there is a way to highlight Jesus over presents and still make gift-giving <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">an important<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0part of the holiday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s how:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Give three gifts, representing the number of gifts the wise men gave. These can include something needed (clothing, shoes, etc.), something wanted (jewelry, electronics, etc.), and something Spiritual (Bible, prayer journal, etc.).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and throw a birthday party for the King of Kings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Open presents early to enjoy your Christmas Eve service without distraction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You can still enjoy gift-giving while focusing on the Savior, but you <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">might<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0also\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">consider skipping<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0presents this year and\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">donating<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to a gospel-centered ministry\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">you<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0both support.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Focus More on Producing the Fruit of the Spirit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">More than feeling the Christmas Spirit, focus on producing the fruit of the Spirit. As Galatians 5:22-23 says, &#8220;But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Imagine how enjoyable your celebrations could be if you were full of God&#8217;s joy. Envision the fruit of patience <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">being displayed<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0during hectic family gatherings. Picture the peace of Jesus covering your home as you love your spouse and children well. These are the\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">key<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to feeling the true Christmas Spirit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here&#8217;s a simple exercise you can do together:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Write down all nine fruits of the Spirit and circle the ones that are most difficult for you. Share your list with your spouse and discover which fruits are a struggle for them. Pray together for wisdom, help, and abundant fruit through the Christmas season. By focusing more on the Holy Spirit and His divine attributes, you&#8217;ll find this season more peaceful and enjoyable than ever before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let&#8217;s Pray:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lord, this is the time of year when our schedules <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">fill up<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and we carry extra stress.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It&#8217;s\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">difficult<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to get in the Christmas Spirit when a dozen things are vying for our attention. Please help us focus more on\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0than on commercial things. Make the celebration of\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0birth front and center. Let our gifts be meaningful, representing the gift You are to us. Thank You for my spouse, Lord, and for the opportunity to walk by Your Spirit with joy this Christmas season. In Your holy name, amen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Application:<span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Make or purchase ornaments based on the fruit of the Spirit. Let them symbolize the true\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Christmas Spirit<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Challenge:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Try the exercise mentioned above, writing down the fruits of the Spirit and praying together for an increase of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>More Resources for Feeling the Christmas Spirit:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>10 Inspiring Quotes to Get You in the Christmas Spirit<\/p>\n<p>5 Ways to Build the Spirit of Christmas in Your Home<\/p>\n<p>7 Ways to Carry the Christmas Spirit throughout the Whole Year<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:11px\">Photo credit: \u00a9GettyImages\/jacoblund<\/span><\/p>\n<p fr-original-style=\"\" style=\"background-repeat:no-repeat;padding:0;margin:0 0 16px;box-sizing:inherit\"><strong>Jennifer Waddle<\/strong> is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer<em>,\u00a0<\/em>and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer\u2019s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, <em>Discouragement Doesn<\/em>\u2019<em>t Win.<\/em> She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains\u2014her favorite place on earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align:left\">We hope you and your spouse are challenged and encouraged by today&#8217;s devotional! For more of this <em>premium<\/em> marriage devotional, visit here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being on the same page at Christmas helps couples navigate the busy season with greater joy. But when one spouse doesn&#8217;t feel the Christmas Spirit, it can put a damper on the celebration. Whether it&#8217;s work obligations, health challenges, or financial hardship, it&#8217;s not always easy to get into the holiday mood. Gratefully, there are<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[813,86,269,864,588,1016],"class_list":{"0":"post-13093","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-christian-living","8":"tag-christmas","9":"tag-daily","10":"tag-devotional","11":"tag-feel","12":"tag-marriage","13":"tag-spirit"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}