How to Truly Rest and Enjoy the Holidays this Year as a Family
Homeschool
Audio By Carbonatix
“Happy Holidays!” It’s a phrase we say often this time of year, yet it’s not always how we feel. With all the gatherings, baking, decorating, and endless to-do lists, the season can leave us feeling overwhelmed rather than overjoyed. As parents, we may be modeling stress, anxiety, and hyper-consumerism for our kids. Instead, we should try to model rest, reflection, and thankfulness!
The holiday season isn’t about creating Pinterest-perfect memories or checking every tradition off a list. Your kids don’t care if your decorations are perfectly color-coordinated, or if each present is wrapped just-so. Show them what Christmas is truly about; slowing down, focusing on Christ, and cherishing the time we have with our families. It’s about finding rest, both physically and spiritually, so we can pour love into our homes.
Here’s how we can truly rest and enjoy the holidays this year, even in the busyness of homeschooling and family life:
1. Fill Your Heart with God’s Goodness
The busyness of the holidays can often push aside what’s most important: our time with God. When we neglect our quiet moments with Him, we lose the very peace and joy He offers.
Psalm 62:1 says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.”
Start each day with even five minutes in God’s Word. Read scripture, journal a prayer of gratitude, or simply sit in His presence. When we prioritize God first, we set the tone for the entire day, no matter how busy it may become.
Homeschool Connection: Begin your homeschool mornings with family devotions. Reflect on Bible verses about gratitude, such as:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” - Psalm 107:1
2. Pause and Reflect on Traditions
Traditions are meaningful, but they can also feel overwhelming when we try to do too much. Before diving into the busyness, take a moment to reflect on the “why” behind each tradition. Why do we bake cookies together? Why do we exchange gifts? Why do we gather as a family?
When we center traditions around gratitude and Christ, they take on deeper meaning. For example, as you decorate the Christmas tree, talk about how Jesus is the true light of the world. As you prepare meals, thank God for His provision and the blessing of family.
Homeschool Connection: Use these moments as teaching opportunities. Research the history of your favorite holiday traditions with your kids and connect them to Biblical truths.
3. Give Yourself Grace
As parents, especially homeschooling parents, we often feel the weight of making the holidays magical for everyone, even at the expense of our mental health. But it’s okay to let go of perfection. Maybe you don’t get to all the crafts or make the elaborate meals. Maybe you use paper plates at Christmas dinner instead of breaking out the expensive china. That’s okay! What your family will remember most is the love and time you shared together.
Titus 3:5 reminds us, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Give yourself the same grace God offers you. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about being present in the moments that matter.
4. Show Gratitude for the Gift of Family
The holidays are a perfect time to focus on the blessing of family. Even during the chaos of the season, take time to express thankfulness for each person in your home. A simple “I’m so thankful for you” and a big hug can brighten someone’s day.
Homeschool Connection: Incorporate gratitude journals into your homeschool routine. Ask your kids to list three things they’re thankful for each day during the holiday season.
5. Embrace Rest as a Gift from God
Rest isn’t just a pause from activity; it’s a gift from God. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” During the holidays, allow yourself to slow down and enjoy the simple moments—reading together as a family, sipping hot cocoa, or sitting quietly by the fire.
Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing; it means being intentional about where we place our energy. Focus on relationships, faith, and gratitude. These are the things that truly matter.
5 Ways to Show Your Family You’re Thankful:
- Write notes of appreciation and leave them where your family members will find them.
- Share a “Thankfulness Spotlight” at dinner, where each person takes a turn sharing what they appreciate about another family member.
- Do a small act of service for someone in your family, like cleaning their room or making their favorite snack.
- Create a “Family Thankfulness Jar” and write down things you’re grateful for about each person throughout the season.
- Pray for each family member by name, thanking God for the unique gifts they bring to your family.
A Rested Heart is a Happy Heart
This holiday season, let’s set an example for our children by showing them what it means to truly rest in the Lord. When we slow down, focus on God, and cherish our families, we create memories that are richer than any perfectly planned event.
As homeschooling parents, we have the privilege of shaping not just minds but hearts. Let’s guide our children toward gratitude, love, and the peace that comes from resting in Christ.
May your holidays be filled with joy, love, and the true rest found in Him.
Walking in Him,
Tricia Goyer
Additional Resources
Heart Happy
Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love During Chaotic Circumstances takes readers on a journey to discover where their true strength, peace, and joy come from—the Lord—no matter what life offers up. Tricia Goyer—author, podcast host, volunteer, homeschooling mom of ten children, and caregiver to her grandma—understands what it’s like to be pulled in different directions with the longing and intention to do all things well. In the midst of chaotic circumstances (which all of us face), she’s found uncomplicated but effective practices for nourishing the soul—because everything stems from the heart.
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