Preparing Your Heart for a Peace-Filled, Christ-Centered Christmas | Holiday Advice for Homemakers

The first week of November might seem early to be thinking about Christmas. But now that October is done, the leaves are falling in mounds, and the weather is cooling faster than last year, I’ve found myself thinking through the type of Christmas I want to have this year. My toddler is now old enough to participate and enjoy the holiday season with more awareness, and I want to be intentional with our festivities. I want the peace that comes from Christ Himself to permeate our Christmas season, and I want to start preparing for that now. 

As you may have guessed with the existence of this blog, I’m a bit of a planner. But I don’t want to box myself into a “perfectly” planned and curated Christmas - I want a truly joyous and peace-filled Christmas that I’ve prepared my heart and home for. 

So this year, I’m starting a bit differently. I’m preparing my heart for Christmas while it’s still November and I’m inviting fellow homemakers to do the same. If you’re longing for a slower, more worshipful Advent season too, here are some ideas to begin now. 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
— Isaiah 26:3

1. Start by quieting your mornings

Over this past year, I’ve gone through seasons of quiet, intentional mornings and seasons of rushed, chaotic mornings. Some months, it’s been easy to wake up early and spend my morning intentionally, and some months, the extra hour of sleep has been more important to me. But as we’re entering the holidays, I know how vital early mornings will be for me. 

I’m challenging myself to get up an hour before my family this November and December. My husband gets up for work at 7:15am, so that means my goal is to be out of bed and making myself coffee by 6:15am each day. Like I said earlier, I’ve had seasons of starting my mornings this way and it was always worth it. I’m blown away by the amount of energy, patience, and peace I have for the day when I’ve given my early morning to the Lord. 

I have a few daily devotional options I’m working through now, mostly for the various Bible studies and small groups I’m part of, but once December hits, I’ll start Let Earth Receive Her King, a Daily Readings for Advent book by Alistair Begg. I’ve also been trying to read the story of Jesus’ birth to Amelia during our breakfast devotional time a few times a week as we get closer to December. I want her to be familiar with the story before we get to December!

If you’re looking for ways to prepare your heart for a peace-filled Christmas this November, start with a Christ-centered devotional or begin researching what Advent devotional you’d like to start in December. Choose a Christmas passage or Psalm or collection of hymns you’d like to start meditating on through November. Small, consistent moments of peace now will make a big difference later! 

2. Talk together about what really matters

Over dinner or during a family walk, I’ve been starting conversations with my husband about what we each want this Christmas to feel like. Like I mentioned before, our toddler is old enough to participate and understand more about this season, and we want to make sure we are setting the stage well. Fewer events, more nights at home with friends and family. Less striving and buying, more peace and giving. 

Ask yourself (and your spouse) what you’re hoping for this holiday season - maybe it’s to grow closer together as a family. Maybe it’s to start new traditions or revive some old ones. Maybe it’s to make sure everything you do (events, parties, decorating) is to the glory of Christ the King and celebrating His coming to earth. Talk about it together, pray to the Lord for guidance, and make a plan that you can all follow. Making sure you and your family are on the same page about your expectations for the Christmas season is so important!

3. Practice gratitude early and often

It’s easy to rush from Thanksgiving to Christmas without pausing to thank God for all He’s already given. I’m grateful for a husband who puts his foot down when it comes to decorating for Christmas early. It forces me to recognize the beauty of November and Thanksgiving, rather than skipping over it as if it were some less-than holiday. There are so many wonderful things about Thanksgiving coming before Christmas - the whole holiday season is about gratefulness and togetherness, and ultimately recognizing all the beautiful, priceless gifts our good Father in heaven gives us. 

When you’re feeling grateful, say it out loud. Thank the Lord for it, out loud for your family to hear. Bless God for His many blessings, and pray He opens your eyes and heart to see even more. One of the first phrases I taught my toddler was, “Thank you, Jesus!” Now anytime her tiny voice says it, I’m reminded to do the same: Thank you, Jesus!

4. Guard your pace

This is where I’m most prone to stumble: overcommitting. Saying “yes” when I should say “no.” But peace requires margin. Part of why I’m planning ahead now is to simplify December: fewer events, more slow nights with cocoa and candlelight and community. If we prepare early, we’ll be freer to savor later.

Preparing early isn’t about control. It’s actually about surrender. Surrendering a picture perfect Christmas to a peaceful, Christ-focused one. I want to reach Christmas morning not exhausted, but rested in heart and ready to rejoice that our Savior has come.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
— Colossians 3:15

May peace begin here, quietly, faithfully, and early, and spread from our hearts to our homes this Christmas season. Happy stewarding!