The holidays are fast approaching, and the frenzy of the season is upon us. Family gatherings, ministry services and events, holidays plays, and putting up decorations are many of the exciting traditions that the holidays bring. While we are often busy and consumed with making sure we have everything in order, it is easy to neglect cultivating or maintaining our relationship with God. God wants us to draw closer to Him and invite His presence into our lives to worship, praise and give thanks to Him. Inviting God’s presence also strengthens us when we are weak, calms us when we are anxious, and leads us when we seek direction.
As we navigate the many complexities of the holidays – from serving and sharing to grieving and growing – God’s presence remains consistent and steadfast. While we will always have competing interests and things that attempt to distract us from entering God’s presence, God continually invites us to draw closer to Him. If you are looking to reconnect with God, here are five ways to invite God’s presence during the holidays:
As you are running errands or decorating the house, play some worship songs to invite God’s presence in. Singing songs of praise and worship, or just listening to the songs, is a wonderful way to spend quality time with God while also acknowledging His powerful presence. Let the words of the worship song uplift your spirit, remind you of God’s faithfulness, and help you keep a grateful heart.
In addition to contemporary worship songs, listen to and sing Christmas carols that uplift Christ’s miraculous birth and Him being the Savior of the world. Singing Christmas carols helps to keep us focused on the true reason for the holiday season, which is Christ’s birth and being the Messiah of the world. As we move throughout the holiday season and become consumed with all that needs to be done, we often lose sight of God’s continued faithfulness and that Christ’s birth is what we should be truly celebrating and focused on.
Another terrific way to invite God’s presence into the holidays is to have a time set aside for gratitude. Taking time to write down or share what you are thankful for to God is an amazing way to invite God’s presence in. Reflecting on what we are grateful for from the current year helps to realign our focus and balance out when we want to complain.
During times of being overwhelmed with the busyness of the holiday season or feeling that there are not enough hours in the day, giving thanks reminds us of what really matters. In addition, giving thanks reinforces the beauty and abundance of our bountiful blessings. Despite how we feel during the holidays, showing gratitude also calms our anxieties and settles our spirits.
Having a consistent devotional and prayer time is an exciting invitation for God’s presence in our lives. Be creative in how you establish your devotional/prayer time. You can use an Advent or Christmas devotional for your quiet time or have individual or family prayer time. Pray for yourself, family, church, those who are in need, the country, and the world. Continue to reflect on God’s goodness, sovereignty, and consistent presence during the year, and worship and praise Him.
In addition to inviting God’s presence through devotional time, praying throughout the day also invokes God’s presence. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the many tasks or things on your plate during the holidays, pouring your heart before the Lord in prayer can provide you peace, encouragement, and wisdom on how to move forward during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Often, we try to carry the load of the holidays on our shoulders, and become burnt out, rather than being fully present with our loved ones or having joy. God wants us to be led by His spirit and propelled by His presence. For us to stay connected to God during the holidays, it is important to pause long enough to spend time with God in prayer and devotion. Praying to God can be done in the car, at the grocery store, while walking, wrapping gifts, or any place that you are. God’s presence is everywhere, but we must invite Him in. All God wants is to spend quality time with His children.
Journaling is another creative way to invite God’s presence more into your life during the holiday season. You can journal your thoughts, praise reports, prayer requests or for what you are grateful. The beauty of journaling is that you can read what you wrote one month or year from now when you wrote it. It can encourage and uplift you during difficult seasons or when you need a reminder of who God is, and how He has moved in your life.
Today, I invite you to try journaling as a new way to invite God’s presence in and stay connected with Him. There is no right way to journal or perfect words to say, but another powerful way to share your heart with God and communicate with our loving Father. Invite God’s presence into your life by journaling and meditating on God’s Word as a continual act of worship.
As you are moving throughout the holiday season, you can listen to an inspirational Word from a sermon, podcast, radio station, or audio Bible. Inviting God’s presence is found in new and diverse ways. You can find encouragement, wisdom and hope from God’s Word during your holiday season and as you go throughout your day. God’s Word is fresh, living, and relevant to our specific situation, and is not limited to being received in one way. A benefit of accessing and inviting God’s presence through these creative mediums is that they can be listened to anywhere. You do not have to be only at home or church to hear an inspirational word from God. Allow God to speak to you in new and unpredictable ways. God’s Word is transformative and available to all believers who desire to seek Him and His presence.
Today, I invite you to be intentional about inviting God’s presence into your holiday season and be creative in how you do so. Sing praise and worship songs, give thanks daily, have a consistent devotional/prayer time, journal and listen to an inspirational Word. These are just a few ways we can recommit to inviting God’s presence more in our lives. Allow God’s presence to strengthen, invigorate, and comfort you during the holidays and propel you through the New Year.
Kirstyn Mayden is an author, certified ministry coach, and speaker whose mission is to help women in ministry recover from burnout. She is a wife and mom who loves Jesus with all her heart. For the last 20 years, Kirstyn has served in several ministry roles serving with children, youth, and women. Currently, she serves alongside her husband in ministry in West Virginia. She is the author of Merciful Moments: A Devotional Journal for Moving Forward with Grace Each Day and Merciful Moments Activity Guide. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Connect with Kirstyn at www.kirstynmayden.com.
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
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