6 ways to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas

Christmas time is one of my favorite times of the year, as it is for many. But Christmas Day isn’t my favorite day of the season. It’s the whole season itself leading up to the day. The cozy atmosphere, hot chocolate, Bing Crosby crooning away while I’m watching White Christmas as I wrap gifts (or more often, fold laundry). It’s such a happy, fuzzy feeling! But it’s so important to me to keep the real reason for the warm fuzzies front and center. So here are 6 ways that I keep my focus on Jesus at Christmas time.

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1. Read scripture

Hopefully, we’re doing this regularly anyway. But I do have a confession. It’s not always easy for me.

I get this feeling like I need to read the Bible every day for a certain amount of time, because it’s the right thing to do. And it is. But sometimes it can become more of a chore to check off. And I don’t believe that’s God’s intention for us regarding His word.

So at Christmas time, I want to make sure I’m reading about Jesus’ birth and life so that I can dwell on all that He’s done for me.

But at the same time, I’m reading at my own pace. Maybe even just 1 or 2 verses. Sometimes I get drawn into the story (I love when that happens) and end up reading several chapters. I want to make sure it’s not about the amount I read, but that I’m focused and listening to the Spirit as I read.

God’s. Word. Is. LIFE. I’m thankful for it and love to read about Jesus’ life at Christmas time. His birth, His ministry, and the ultimate purpose for which He came: to save us by dying in our place. This helps me keep my focus on Him during the holiday season. (Asking my husband to take turns reading a portion aloud is my favorite way to do this!)

Image of Bible opened to birth of Jesus with candle in background, text overlay says, "6 ways to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas."

2. Christmas music

Okay, as mentioned above (which you’ll notice practically every time I talk about Christmas-y stuff), Bing Crosby has got to be singing his little heart out at my house all Christmas long.

White Christmas—either the movie or the song—is playing on near-repeat for at least a month. It’s cozy and happy and gives me the childhood memory goodness. And that’s wonderful.

But I also like to listen to some of the Christmas songs or hymns that focus on the Lord. What Child Is This, We Three Kings, O Come All Ye Faithful, The Little Drummer Boy… I could go on and on.

I love these songs so much because they remind me of how much Jesus loves me. So much that He left His heavenly home with the Father to live a lowly life and face a death full of sorrows to save me from my sin. Because He loves me so.

Singing along with these songs will immediately put my eyes back on Jesus.

3. Time with family

Family is a treasure. Even though some of my most-loved people have passed on from this world, I’m thankful for the time I had with them and the wonderful memories I still hold on to.

I know some families are hard to get along with. Some family members may shun you or have disowned you for whatever reason. (I can relate to this one personally, so please know you are not alone.)

Or maybe you don’t have any family left here in this world. But please please PLEASE know this: your heavenly Father sees you and loves you. And there are people who love and care about you.

Family is not just about blood. Believe me. My dad is a dad who didn’t have to be. But he is my dad, 100%, no question. There are some friends who are just family. They just are. And there are in-laws, some of which are more like family than our own sometimes. Because they are.

Spending time with your loved ones—whether they’re family by blood or family by choice—is a wonderful picture of the love of our heavenly Father. Receive the fellowship and love, and share the love of God with others, no matter what.

If you’d like ideas for Christmas activities that focus on Jesus, check out this article from Focus on the Family.

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4. Count your blessings

I may or may not have chosen the title for this one because of that song from White Christmas. (…I did.) It’s a must for me to think of all the ways God has blessed me throughout the previous year. Especially when there have been some serious struggles too.

I know that the holidays can be lonely at times. They can be extremely sad when we’re missing a loved one.

The first Christmas without my mom was gut-wrenching. It was all I could do to keep the tears from pouring out. And at times they did.

It’s been 5 years now, and I still had some big sobs the other day when I heard one of her favorite Christmas songs. But I’m able to be thankful that God blessed me with my mom for so many years.

Instead of thinking about what I don’t have, or one of any number of problems, focusing on my blessings is key for renewing my mind to focus on Jesus.

What things has God provided for you this year?

What situations has He protected you from?

Are there things that have happened that, at the time, you didn’t see why but can now recognize God’s hand at work?

Realizing that there are things that the Lord has protected me from that I don’t even know about is amazing to me. Maybe I was annoyed because I was stuck in traffic and late for an appointment, but maybe that was God keeping me from harm that would’ve happened otherwise.

Just knowing that I don’t know, and that God has everything under control, gives me such a perspective of thanksgiving!

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5. Prayer

An amazing revelation I had within the last couple of years is so simple, but so powerful.

Sometimes I get into a funk and start to feel all sad and depressed and just out of sorts. It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes I’ll notice I start to feel this way when I’m stressed out or when tons of things pop up that overwhelm me.

I’m like, “Argh, why do I feel like this?! I do not want to feel this way!”

And one time I had this revelation, as if the Lord brought this thought to my attention: “Why don’t you ask Me to help?” I was like… “What? I can do that?”

So now I’ll pause and say, “Lord, I’m not exactly sure why I’m feeling this way, but you know how I feel and what’s going on and why. Father, thank you for always being with me. Please help this feeling to go away and replace it with a positive feeling, in Jesus’ name.”

And you know what? He does. Sometimes I still forget to go to Him. It’s new to me, but I’m learning. At times the relief is immediate, and other times the Lord will bring something to my remembrance that shifts my focus. Or He might send someone to bless me. With a hug or a kind word.

Prayer is essential and God wants us to come to Him! The section above about counting our blessings is also a way to praise the Lord in prayer. And casting every care upon Him is His desire for us. And when we ask Him to bring Jesus to the front of our minds during the Christmas season, He will do it.

6. Fellowship with believers

There are so many opportunities for this at Christmas time! Cantatas, Christmas plays, special services, parties, and other gatherings are happening all around. And of course, attending church isn’t just about what we get out of it, but how we can be a blessing to others.

I haven’t been able to attend church lately as I’ve been dealing with a health issue for the last couple of months that came on strong, but I do what I can to connect with fellow believers in other ways.

We should always be attending church regularly when we can of course! But fellowship with believers doesn’t have to be limited to the church building. And at times like this when my health doesn’t allow for regular attendance, I’m so thankful for that!

Final thoughts on focusing on Jesus at Christmas

All the wonderful traditions we have make Christmas feel like Christmas. The Home Alone and A Charlie Brown Christmas mini-marathons we do every year are part of Christmas to us and I love that. But keeping Jesus as the focus can be challenging if we don’t pause and reset our minds. I hope these 6 things are helpful in keeping your focus on Christ this Christmas.

Do you have something to add to the list? Let me know in the comments!

For more ways to keep your focus on Jesus this Christmas—particularly for kids—check out this article.

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6 ways to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas (with FREE wallpaper!)

1. Read scripture

2. Christmas music

3. Time with family

4. Count your blessings

5. Prayer

6. Fellowship with believers

Final thoughts on focusing on Jesus at Christmas

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