The holiday season often brings a sense of togetherness, celebration, and joy—but it can also bring overwhelm and burnout. As a busy mom of four, I know firsthand that just thinking about the holidays can sometimes feel exhausting. Between shopping, meals, school activities, and packed schedules, it can feel like there’s barely time to breathe.
Just a few Christmases ago, our family found ourselves in the middle of what felt like chaos. Between work schedules, school activities, and holiday errands, it felt like we barely had time to breathe. One evening, after a particularly long day, I noticed my youngest sitting quietly by the tree, carefully writing in a small notebook. This was not the norm for my son, who at the time was an energetic 7-year-old. Curious, I asked what he was doing, and he showed me a list of things he was thankful for. On the list were simple joys like hot chocolate, playing football with Dad, and the recent family get-together.
As he read his list to me, it dawned on me that in my exhaustion, I had been overlooking the simple joys around us. Between gift shopping, festive meals, and packed schedules, it’s easy to lose sight of what makes this season truly meaningful: connection, faith, and gratitude. Seeing my son’s heartfelt gratitude list inspired me to focus on what truly matters by creating simple family traditions that center around God, love, and one another. These practices don’t have to be complicated—in fact, the simpler, the more sustainable and impactful.
Here are a few simple ways we’ve incorporated faith-centered practices into our family this holiday season:
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Short Daily Devotionals
Amid the bustle of holiday preparations, carving out even five minutes for a family devotional can have a powerful effect on connection. Gather together each morning or evening to read a short passage from the Bible, reflect on its meaning, and share personal thoughts. Passages about love, gratitude, and kindness—like 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances”—serve as gentle reminders of the season’s true focus.
To make this tradition approachable:
- Rotate who leads the devotional so each family member feels included.
- Keep a “holiday devotion jar” with short scripture cards to draw from each day.
- Pair the reading with a small ritual, like lighting a candle or saying a prayer together before meals.
Even just five minutes together can make a big difference in strengthening family bonds and nurturing faith in a practical, lived way.
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Gratitude Practices
The holidays can magnify comparison, envy, or disappointment—especially for children learning to navigate big emotions. Gratitude practices provide a gentle counterbalance. Encourage each family member to share one thing they are thankful for each day, whether at mealtime, around the Christmas tree, or before bed. Writing these reflections in a family gratitude journal turns them into a lasting keepsake.
For children, a simple visual can help: a gratitude tree or jar where each family member adds a note of thanks. By the end of the season, these notes will serve as a beautiful reminder of God’s blessings and your family’s support for one another. Gratitude fosters joy and resilience—even during busy or stressful seasons.
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Service Opportunities as a Family
The holidays are a perfect time to practice Christ’s call to serve others. As Matthew 20:28 reminds us, Jesus “came not to be served, but to serve.” When families serve together, they practice humility, generosity, and empathy—habits that outlast the holiday season itself.
Service can take many forms: volunteering at a local shelter, donating toys or clothing to families in need, or delivering care packages to neighbors. Even small acts of kindness—shoveling snow for an elderly neighbor, making holiday cards for a hospital, or preparing a meal for someone in need—create lasting impressions on children and cultivate shared memories rooted in purpose and compassion.
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Keep Traditions Simple and Intentional
The key to creating faith-centered traditions is simplicity. You don’t need a perfect Pinterest-worthy setup or an elaborate schedule. The most impactful traditions are consistent, intentional, and reflective of your family’s values. Even small rituals—like a nightly prayer before bed, a weekly holiday playlist that sparks conversation, or baking together while discussing gratitude—can make a season more meaningful.
Focus on connection rather than perfection. Let laughter, conversation, and shared faith be the centerpiece of your family’s celebration. Colossians 3:16 encourages us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
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Build Lasting Memories Through Faith
Faith-centered traditions don’t just strengthen family connection—they create memories that children carry long after the season ends. These rituals teach values, provide comfort, and reinforce the joy of giving and receiving love within the family. Over time, these moments become a tapestry of faith, gratitude, and togetherness—a legacy more lasting than any gift.
This holiday season, consider introducing one or two of these simple traditions. Choose practices that feel authentic to your family and can be maintained year after year. Even small steps—short devotionals, daily gratitude, or acts of service—can turn the season from chaotic to meaningful, creating closer bonds, deeper faith, and memories that truly reflect the heart of Christmas. And if you or a loved one find yourselves continuing to struggle through the season, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone—Renewing Life Center’s clinicians are here to support you. You can reach us at 702-434-7290 for guidance and encouragement during this season.
Samantha Winters, LMFT