12 Ways for You and Your Family to Tend to Your Souls This Christmas
Paying attention to the true yearning of your soul, and investing in that which will truly satisfy
Greetings Glory Carriers!
How are you doing on this Week Two of Advent? Excited? Stressed? Exhausted already? All of the above, like me?
Around Christmas time, I always find myself reflecting on the season. Amidst all the festivities and the flurry I wonder:
What is all this for?
I guess the more accurate question is:
Who is all this for?
We Know Christmas is For and About Jesus… and yet…
In the Christian tradition we know this long-awaited day is for and about Jesus. We recognize and remember his momentous, yet humble entry into the world. It is the day God entered onto the scene of our human story and brought salvation to all who believe in him (Romans 1:16). Hallelujah.
The expression and celebration of this Christ event over the centuries has taken on many forms: the lights, the parties, the music, the gift-giving and more. It is all lovely and magical isn’t it? And yet, if you’re anything like me, there is always that temptation to get 'caught up' in making Christmas about those things: what gifts to buy and for whom, what outfits to wear (for sure, this one!), what food to serve, and the list goes on. It is all fun, it is all good, but is it all there is?
Striking the Balance between Christ and Chaos
How do we strike the balance between Christ and chaos? Between the reason for… and the romance of the season?
Though it is easy to neglect God’s Word in this busy time, I am convinced that it is often through the meditation of Scripture that can snap us back if we’ve gotten off track. This passage in Isaiah did that very thing for me this week and perhaps it can for you too:
"'Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.' Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while he is near."
The Need for Nourishment that Feeds Our Souls
Food and gifts cost money, only last a short time and meet only physical and material needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our souls. When we come (55:1), listen (55:2), seek and call on God (55:6), He promises to delight us with the “richest of fare.” God’s salvation is freely offered, but to continue nourishing our souls (as we do our bodies), we must choose to go to God and receive from Him.
But this is hard isn’t it? Taking the time to go to God and spend time with Him is challenging when we are already spread so thin. Our ‘usual’ time of devotion spent with God is often the first to go amidst the season of busyness filled with other competing ‘important’ things. Believe me, I know. With a house full of kids and various activities for each, a church filled with activities, a neighborhood brimming with activities and a business I am wrapping up for the season…does God really expect we will squeeze in time for Him too?
As I ponder that question, somehow I sense that ‘expect’ is not the right word. He longs, may be a better suited word. He longs for us. For you. For me. To stop. Slow down. And know, once again, that He is God. A God who loves and delights in His creation. He longs just to be with us, to have our attention and to enjoy the communion and companionship every day brings, that which was made possible because of that first Christmas.
From this perspective, of our Father’s true heart that longs to be with His children, I imagine He must loathe the busyness that draws us away. The obsession with everything else…but Him.
We can know this deep down, and yet we choose to keep living with this tension of yearning for fellowship with God and continuing in the things that separate us from the very thing for which we yearn. We often get good at living with it. But will we ever change anything about the way we approach the season? Will we choose to slow down? Buy less? And enjoy more of the simple pleasures of beautiful lights, soul-stirring music, deep and rich conversations with the ones we love? And most of all, the deep communion with our Creator for which our souls truly crave? The only thing - no, Person - who can truly satisfy?
I don’t know. It is easy to feel defeated (by the strong currents of the season) before it even begins. There is always next year, we quip, to sooth our stirring conscience.
But what if there was something we could do this year? Right now. Today. To shift the tide, even a little bit, towards the true yearning of our souls? Towards that which will truly satisfy?
Choose to Tend to Your Soul
The good news is that true nourishment and satisfaction come only from the deep well of our spiritual life and it requires nothing from our wallets, but something of ourselves. We can choose, yes we can. We can do something to tend to our souls. Even amidst the busy and bustling time of year.
For me, tending to my soul can come in a myriad of small intentional acts that seek to turn my attention to God and fill my soul in the process. Here are some ideas for soul-tending this Christmas, that can be done even amidst the inevitable fullness of the season:
12 Ways for You and Your Family to Tend to Your Souls this Christmas:
Light a candle. This is a ritual I do throughout my day to remind myself of the Light of Christ all around us, even when the world feels dark. I light a candle first thing in the morning, at every meal, and at while my desk while writing or working. The ambiance of a candle also has a soothing and comforting effect that your soul picks up on too. Watch out, you may get hooked and become a candle feign like me!
*For the family: You can do a weekly Advent candle lighting activity. You can read more about this in last week’s newsletter here.
This was our first week of Advent: lighting our candle of HOPE Memorize a passage of Scripture. This takes some intentionality and mental brain power, but it is so worthwhile because it enables you to recall the beauty and truth of God's Word wherever you are and whatever you are doing. This season I have committed Psalm 23 to memory and enjoy recalling the peaceful imagery while washing dishes, holding a child or falling asleep at night. My soul is nourished and fed throughout the day when I do this and it guards against negativity, anxiety and other unpleasant emotions that bombard us in our noisy world.
*For the family: This past year, I have been doing a weekly memory verse with my three older kids, ages 8, 6 and 4. I give them the verse early in the week and on Friday, before movie night, they do their recitation in front of mom and dad. If they get it correct, they receive a small prize. They resisted initially, but now they ask me each week: “Mom, what’s our verse? Tell us our verse!” They are probably motivated by the prize they will get, but at least they are storing up Truth in their hearts in the process! You can access the start-up list of verses we have memorized this year by clicking the button below. Join us on the journey!
Listen to soul-stirring music. I didn't grow up with much music in our home, but in today's world it is so easy to access beautiful music. I am convinced that God's peace, love and grace can come to us through music. Morning, day and night our home is filled with various anointed worship playlists (music that ministers to our hearts and souls), beautiful instrumentals, angelic choral arrangements and songs that stir and bless our souls towards the Author and Creator of them. (Note: I will be writing more on the power of music to form and shape our souls - for better and for worse - in future Homes of Glory newsletters)
Enjoy food and fellowship with others. It takes effort to make plans or host others, but every time we do, we remark how refreshed, uplifted and encouraged we feel. It is a mystery of the Spirit at work. - "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matt 18:20).
This was the end of the year fellowship brunch with my Bible Study group - everyone brought a favorite dish to share Serve and give to someone less fortunate than you. Be it your time, talents or gifts, giving of ourselves to others, especially the less fortunate during Christmas is where true and deep joy for our souls is found (see Acts 20:35).
Kendal, Cora and Caswell making cards over the weekend for the underprivileged families we will bring gifts to next week Attend a worship service. Though we can worship from anywhere, even and especially our own living rooms, there is some mystery of grace and peace and presence of God imparted when we meet face to face. Our souls were made for this and we must, I am convinced, continue to seek it out in a corporate setting, no matter how big or small.
Read a spiritually nourishing book. I've noticed in my own life how a little dose of fresh Truth, insight and inspiration can do wonders for the state of my soul. I try and reserve the last hour of most evenings reading and always bring my Kindle tucked in my bag in case there is an unexpected time of waiting that would be perfect for pulling out a book. The last four soul-nourishing books I checked off this year were:
Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments and Milestones by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin
Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson
The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries by Sara Hagerty
The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith
Listen to a soul-enriching podcast. I listed some of my past favorites in this post here on a previous blog post I wrote, but since there are always new ones to discover (!), here are some of my current favorites (at the moment) that I mainly listen to while jogging or driving:
The Family Teams Podcast
Famous at Home with Dr. Josh and Christi Straub
The Intentional Parents Podcast
Rhythms for Life with Gabe and Rebekah Lyons
The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
Made for This with Jennie Allen
Don’t Mom Alone with Heather Macfadyen
She Reads Truth Podcast
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
Go for a prayer walk. Our exercise routines change and adapt with the seasons of life, but one thing I go back to over and over again is walking in my neighborhood park and using this time to put my gadgets down and talk/converse with and pray to God. Something about moving the body can help get our minds clear and hearts attentive to the whisper of the Spirit.
Take a nap. Studies have shown that taking naps can actually boost creativity and productivity. At least this is what I tell myself! Even if it is 30 minutes, allowing yourself to lay down in the middle of the day also affirms your trust in God as God and you as a human needing rest. I often sort through problems as I am napping and come away from nap refreshed with new ideas.
I’ve been blessed to be able to take post-lunch naps with each of my children. Now it is Oswald’s turn :) Work with a coach. Deciding to work with a coach for a season can be a form of tending to your soul. Having someone to listen deeply to your inner stirrings, walk with you in wrestling through them and who is committed to supporting you in arriving at the answers and insights you need to move forward may be just the gift to give yourself - or one you love - this year. If this sounds intriguing, consider setting up a free consult here.
Watch a fun Christmas movie. Sometimes we just need to take a time out to rest and laugh. Every year, we find time to watch a few ‘feel good’ movies that either remind us of our childhood or bring a lightness to our souls. Some on our watch list are:
Whether you choose to implement one or a few of these things, may we most of all, and at the very least, pay attention to our deeper spiritual thirst this holiday season. May we take time (even with the little that we have) to be still in between the festivities and the flurry, to accept God's wonderful invitation to come, listen, seek and call on Him, the Master Tender of our souls. Only then will we delight in the richest of fare.
God bless you and don’t forget: wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you carry the Glory of God with you and in you. This is the wonderful news of Christmas, God coming to live among us, and indeed in us! May you radiate His magnificent light in your heart and home this week (yes, however imperfectly) as you seek to make Jesus the center of it all. He sees you. And cheers you on as you make your humble efforts to bring your family from strength to strength in the faith. Keep going, good and faithful servant. We are in this together!
For His Glory from My Family to Yours,
Ali
Fun Family Photo of the Week
Lovely letter this week friend. Thank you for some great ideas for this festive season. And the pod cast list! Xx