<\/p>\n
The Christmas season is often so busy that it can be easy to miss the reason why you\u2019re celebrating. God\u2019s presence as Immanuel (\u201cGod with us\u201d) is the core message of Christmas. Even with your busy schedule this season, you can still connect with God\u2019s presence with you. Here are five quick ways to connect with God\u2019s presence during the busy Christmas season. Each of these easy breaks can help you experience God \u2013 and the peace and joy that come from being aware of God\u2019s presence \u2013 no matter how complete your December calendar is.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1. Sing your heart out for a few minutes:<\/strong> Music is a powerful tool for focusing on God. You probably have lots of Christmas songs running through your mind anyway, so sing one of them for a few minutes. Choose a sacred Christmas carol that focuses on Jesus\u2019 birth rather than a secular Christmas song about Santa, reindeer, or snowmen. There are many excellent possibilities, including \u201cJoy to the World\u201d, \u201cO Come, All Ye Faithful\u201d, \u201cSilent Night\u201d, \u201cO Holy Night,\u201d \u201cGo to Tell It on the Mountain,\u201d and \u201cHark! The Herald Angels Sing.\u201d The unique, God-given voice you have is an instrument you can use to worship, and using your voice to sing to God is a powerful way to connect with him personally. When you\u2019re driving, cooking, baking, or wrapping Christmas gifts (or at any other time you like), enjoy singing a Christmas carol to the fullest! Don\u2019t worry about what you sound like musically, since this isn\u2019t a performance. Just focus on expressing yourself authentically to God while you sing. In the process, you\u2019ll experience the joy of connecting with God as one of his beloved children. Psalm 98:4 encourages you to: \u201cMake a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!\u201d Even more wonderfully, Zephaniah 3:17 reveals that God \u201cwill rejoice over you with singing.\u201d When you sing to God, you\u2019re responding to a Heavenly Father who is already delighting in you so much that he sings love songs for you! Singing a Christmas song can also help you focus on what matters most this Christmas season. By choosing a phrase from a song (such as \u201cChrist the Savior is born\u201d) and repeating it, you can redirect your mind away from holiday stress and focus on Jesus this Christmas.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Let Christmas lights remind you that God\u2019s light shines in the world\u2019s darkness:<\/strong> The Christmas season is full of light. Whenever you need encouragement as you navigate the darkness in this fallen world, let Christmas lights remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World, bringing real hope. Light a candle at home or at work, take a short walk or drive to enjoy Christmas lights in your local area, or sit in front of your Christmas tree or fireplace for a quick break. While you\u2019re looking at the lights, reflect on the light of hope and wisdom that Jesus shines in our dark world \u2013 and how light is always stronger than darkness, both spiritually and physically. John 1:5 says about Jesus: \u201cThe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.\u201d Let yourself be inspired by the beauty of the light to worship God, who created it. Think about Jesus\u2019 wonderful words in John 8:12: \u201cI am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. \u2019As you enjoy the glow of Christmas lights, let go of any dark thoughts you may have about the challenges you\u2019re facing. Say a short prayer thanking Jesus for being the Light that overcomes all darkness. Remember that Jesus is right there with you, shining his light into your life, and receive the peace Jesus wants you to experience. Christmas lights can remind you that Jesus is with you, even in the middle of your most stressful holiday experiences. Don\u2019t let the darkness of your challenges, like family conflicts or money issues, worry you this Christmas season. Jesus\u2019 light is much stronger than the darkness in your life, so pray about all your concerns and trust Jesus to help you with each one of them. As you look at lights this Christmas, think about Jesus\u2019 tremendous promise to you in John 16:33: \u201c\u2026 in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Say a short prayer for someone in need:<\/strong> Sometimes you can stress yourself out from focusing too much on your own expectations and schedule during the Christmas season. Change your perspective and let God\u2019s love flow through your life by saying short prayers for the people you see struggling this season. Don\u2019t worry about trying to go through an extensive prayer list. Just offer a brief prayer when you notice that you\u2019re thinking about people you know who need help. Pray for one person at a time, whenever you feel inclined to do so. Ask God to meet that person\u2019s needs this Christmas and give them peace. By praying for people in need, one by one, you can experience a deeper connection to God as God\u2019s love flows through your life and into the lives of others. The best way to connect with God is through love, because God\u2019s core nature is love. So, look beyond your own world and pay attention to the people around you, like a grocery store cashier who looks exhausted, a coworker who needs help with a project, or a friend or family member who\u2019s dealing with a personal crisis. The Bible calls you to share in the struggles of those around you, and prayer is the quickest and most powerful way to do that. Galatians 6:2 encourages you to: \u201cCarry each other\u2019s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.\u201d When you pray for someone else, you help yourself along with them, because you\u2019re lining up your heart with God\u2019s heart. This gives you opportunities to participate in the true spirit of Christmas, which is spreading God\u2019s love.<\/p>\n 4. Let your breath remind you of God\u2019s Spirit with you:<\/strong> The Christmas season is full of joy, but it can also be hectic. In the middle of the decorating, shopping, and celebrations, it can be easy to forget the real reason for the season: the gift of God\u2019s presence with you. An excellent and simple tool you already have to stay connected to God is your breath. Think of your breath as a constant, gentle reminder of God\u2019s Holy Spirit within you, just as Job 33:4 says: \u201cThe Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.\u201d Every single breath you take is a fresh gift from your Creator. To connect with God through your breath this Christmas season, take short breaks throughout your busy days and evenings to pay close attention to your breathing. Gently close your eyes. Then, slowly draw a deep breath in through your nose, letting your stomach and chest rise like the air is filling a balloon. Finally, slowly let the breath out through your mouth or nose, feeling your body relax. As you do this, become aware of the sensations of breathing. Notice the cool air entering your body and the warm air leaving it. Feel the gentle rise and fall of your chest and belly. Simply focusing on your breath helps calm your body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. Then, you can connect this calm breathing to the Christmas story. As you breathe in, you can quietly think of God\u2019s presence with you. As you breathe out, you can release the stress of the season and rest in God\u2019s complete and unconditional love for you. When you do this kind of mindful breathing, you can become more aware of sensing God\u2019s Spirit. Ask God to help you hear from him, and then listen. You might become aware of God\u2019s presence through a feeling of peace or joy, an inspiring thought like a fresh idea or clear guidance, or in some other way. Using your breath to connect with God is something you can do anytime and anywhere you want to move closer to your Creator.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5. Read a Bible verse about God\u2019s presence and pray it:<\/strong> In the middle of your busy day, take a few minutes to pull up a single Bible verse that speaks to you about God\u2019s loving presence. Then pray that verse back to God, asking the Holy Spirit to bring its truth to bear on your current situation. Hebrews 4:12 describes how the Bible\u2019s truths are active and can change your life powerfully when you apply them: \u201cFor the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.\u201d For instance, when you feel anxious about your schedule or overwhelmed by all the responsibilities you face, you can read and pray Deuteronomy 31:8: \u201cThe Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.\u201d After reading the verse out loud, you can pray something like: \u201cHoly Spirit, please make this promise real for me right now. Help me feel your presence going before me as I face this [mention the conversation, or task you face].\u201d Or, if you\u2019re feeling exhausted by the Christmas season\u2019s demands, you can read Matthew 11:28 out loud: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.\u201d Then, you can pray something like: \u201cJesus, I\u2019m feeling weary and burdened right now. Please give me some rest and send me the renewal and revival I need.\u201d Instead of focusing on the situations that are making you feel stressed, you can concentrate on how God is right there with you and how he promises to meet your needs. A good Christmas season Bible verse about God\u2019s presence you can pray is Matthew 1:23: \u201cThe virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him \u2018Immanuel\u2019 (which means \u2018God with us\u2019.\u201d A short verse you can pray in hectic situations is Exodus 33:14: \u201cMy presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.\u201d When you take a break to pray God\u2019s Word back to him and apply it right away, God will meet you exactly where you are and help you connect with him.<\/p>\n In conclusion, this Christmas season, remember that God is Immanuel. God is present right here and now with you. By taking regular, brief breaks from your busyness to connect with God, you can experience the wonder of God\u2019s presence in your life.<\/p>\n Photo credit: \u00a9GettyImages\/YakobchukOlena<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Whitney Hopler <\/strong>helps people discover God’s wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books\u00a0Wake Up to Wonder and\u00a0Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel\u00a0Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA\u2019s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at\u00a0George Mason University\u2019s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at\u00a0www.whitneyhopler.com and\u00a0on her\u00a0Facebook author page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Christmas season is often so busy that it can be easy to miss the reason why you\u2019re celebrating. God\u2019s presence as Immanuel (\u201cGod with us\u201d) is the core message of Christmas. Even with your busy schedule this season, you can still connect with God\u2019s presence with you. 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