Be Still This Christmas: Practicing Christian Mindfulness in a Season of Hurry

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By Sarah Haught

Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Regent University, Program Evaluation Director for The Church Cares. She is passionate about faith integration and active in the Charis Institute and Society for Christian Accommodative Treatment and Programs. 

I still remember one Christmas that felt like a whirlwind. My sister and I were racing from one grocery store to another (four in total), trying to find the last ingredients for Christmas dinner before a blizzard hit. My parents and my other sister were stuck out of state because of the weather, and we weren’t sure they would make it home for Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, the house needed cleaning, presents needed wrapping, and meals needed planning. By the time Christmas Day arrived, I was exhausted in body, mind, and spirit.

Maybe you’ve had a season like that too. The holidays can become a blur of lists, expectations, and obligations. Between shopping, decorating, traveling, cooking, and managing family dynamics, it’s easy to lose sight of the One we are actually celebrating. Our hearts grow hurried, our minds scatter in ten directions, and our souls long for peace.

Yet in the middle of this noise, Advent and Christmas quietly invite us into something different. The story of Christ’s birth is one of stillness, presence, and holy attention. When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they found them simply watching over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8–9). When Mary received the news that she would bear the Son of God, she paused to treasure and ponder these things in her heart (Luke 2:19). The invitation of Christmas is not to do more, but to be more present—to God, to others, and to the moment before us.

Christian Mindfulness: Awareness of Emmanuel

When we talk about mindfulness, the world often describes it as emptying the mind or finding inner calm through self-focus. But Christian mindfulness is something altogether different. It is not about detaching from life but becoming more deeply aware of God’s presence in it.

In Acts 17:28, Paul reminds us that “in Him we live and move and have our being.” Every breath, every heartbeat, every snowflake and candle flame exists within the presence of God. Practicing Christian mindfulness is simply learning to notice Him there—to pause long enough to say, “You are here, Lord, even in this.”

This kind of mindfulness grounds us when the holiday season threatens to sweep us away. It anchors our spirits in the truth that Emmanuel—God with us—is not a concept but a reality we can experience right now, even between wrapping paper and choir rehearsals.

Pause and Breathe

One of the simplest ways to begin is to pause. Set aside a few minutes each day, maybe in the morning before the house wakes up or in the evening when the lights are low. Take a slow, deep breath. Whisper the name of Jesus as you inhale and exhale. Let the words of Psalm 46:10 wash over you: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Stillness can feel foreign in a culture that glorifies hurry. But even two minutes of quiet can begin to soften the edges of anxiety. In that silence, we make space for God to remind us who He is and who we are in Him. Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” These moments of stillness are not wasted; they are sacred.

Notice God’s Gifts

Once we slow down, we start to see again. As you decorate the tree, hang the stockings, or wrap gifts, pay attention to the details—the sparkle of light on an ornament, the smell of cinnamon, the laughter of children. Every small grace is a reminder of the goodness of the Giver.

Gratitude reorients our hearts. Ephesians 5:20 encourages us to give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we practice gratitude, we are not pretending everything is perfect. We are acknowledging that even in imperfection, God’s presence remains steady and His gifts continue to appear.

Try this simple exercise: as you move through your day, whisper a short prayer of thanks each time you notice something beautiful. “Thank You, Lord, for warmth.” “Thank You for the sound of music.” “Thank You for the quiet.” Gratitude keeps our hearts soft and turns ordinary moments into worship.

Listen with Love

Christian mindfulness also calls us to be present with others. During the holidays, we are surrounded by people, but that doesn’t always mean we are truly connecting. Conversations can become rushed or distracted, especially when our minds are already juggling plans.

What if this year, we chose to listen differently? To set down the phone, make eye contact, and give someone the gift of our full attention? When we listen with love, we reflect the heart of Christ, who always saw and heard those in front of Him.

James 1:19 reminds us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Listening well is a spiritual act—it honors the image of God in another person. In those quiet exchanges, the presence of Christ can enter a room more powerfully than any Christmas carol.

Rest in Emmanuel

At the center of Christmas is a single truth: God came near. He entered our world not with fanfare, but in the stillness of a Bethlehem night. The God who holds galaxies was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

Matthew 1:23 proclaims, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” Those words are not just ancient history; they are present reality. Practicing Christian mindfulness is really just practicing presence—being with God, with others, and even with ourselves as we are.

If your Christmas feels messy or heavy this year, know that Emmanuel meets you there. He is not waiting for your house to be perfect or your plans to go smoothly. He is present in the imperfections, the delays, and even the disappointments. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

A Prayer for Stillness

You might pray something like this:

“Lord Jesus, help me to slow down enough to notice You. In the noise of this season, remind me that You are my peace. Teach me to breathe deeply of Your presence, to listen with love, and to give thanks for Your gifts. May my heart be still and my spirit rest in You, Emmanuel. Amen.”

Staying Rooted in Christ

This Christmas, may we resist the pull of hurry and distraction. Let’s remember that the miracle of the season was born not in chaos, but in calm. God entered the world quietly, in humility and peace.

As you move through the coming weeks, may your spirit stay rooted in Christ. When the world tells you to rush, hear His gentle whisper: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

And if you’d like more ways to nurture your soul and support your faith community throughout the year, consider exploring our Church Cares Kit, filled with resources to help you practice presence, care for your mental health, and stay centered in the hope of Christ.

May the peace of Emmanuel be with you, today and always.