How to Make Christmas About Jesus (Even When It’s Only Days Away)
If Christmas is only a few days away and you feel behind, you’re not alone. Many of us begin the season with the best intentions to slow down, reflect, and worship, but quickly find ourselves overwhelmed by packed calendars, last-minute shopping, and family obligations. Before we know it, Christmas morning arrives, and the season has passed in a blur.
Here’s the encouraging truth: it’s not too late to make Christmas about Jesus. You don’t need weeks of preparation or perfectly planned traditions. You simply need intentionality. Even with just a few days remaining, you can refocus your heart and your home on Christ.
1. Slow Down on Purpose
Busyness is one of the greatest enemies of worship. When life moves fast, reflection is often the first thing to go. Yet the coming of Christ calls us to pause. Jesus entered the world quietly—not with celebration, but with humility.
Take a few minutes each day to slow down. Open your Bible and read Luke 2:1–20 or Matthew 1:18–25. Read it slowly. Let the words sink in. Ask God to help you see the familiar story with fresh eyes.
Slowing down doesn’t require large blocks of time. It requires a decision to stop and remember why Christmas exists in the first place.
2. Read the Christmas Story Together
One of the simplest ways to re-center Christmas is to read the Christmas story aloud. Gather your family, whether it’s just you and your spouse or a room full of relatives and read Scripture together. You don’t need to teach or explain every detail. Simply read and reflect.
Ask one question: What stands out to you in this passage?
This small moment can shift the focus of an entire household. It reminds everyone that Christmas is not primarily about gifts under a tree, but about the gift of a Savior sent to redeem us.
3. Let Generosity Point to the Gospel
Christmas giving is everywhere, but Christian generosity is rooted in something deeper. We give because God gave first. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16).
In the coming days, look for intentional ways to practice gospel-centered generosity. Give without expecting recognition. Serve someone quietly. Encourage someone who is struggling. These acts reflect the heart of Christmas, not obligation, but love flowing from gratitude.
4. Release Unrealistic Expectations
Many Christmas disappointments come from expectations we never should have carried in the first place. Perfect meals. Perfect moments. Perfect family interactions. But the first Christmas was anything but perfect by worldly standards. The Savior was born in a stable.
When we release unrealistic expectations, we make room for worship. Christmas becomes less about how things look and more about who Jesus is.
5. Pray Simple Prayers
Prayer doesn’t need to be long or formal. Throughout the day, offer short prayers of gratitude and dependence. Thank God for sending His Son. Ask Him to help you remain focused on Christ amid distractions.
These prayers anchor ordinary moments to eternal truth.
Choose Presence Over Performance
Making Christmas about Jesus isn’t about doing more; it’s about remembering more. Emmanuel means “God with us.” Jesus is present in the messy moments, the loud gatherings, and the quiet exhaustion.
Even with just a few days left, you can choose presence over pressure. Worship over worry. And when you do, you’ll discover that Christ-centered Christmas moments often come not from perfection, but from intentional hearts turned toward Him.
