You are free!
He has risen!
Sister, do you feel those words deep in your marrow? Or do they feel like a distant echo muffled by the crinkle of wrapping paper and the frantic search for the perfect Easter basket filler?
I sat down recently and it hit me like a ton of bricks: or should I say, a boulder. All of our most crucial, most holy days have been systematically hijacked. We’ve allowed the world and the department stores to minimize the profound and redirect our gaze. They are trying to mute the importance of Jesus: His miraculous birth, His agonizing death, and His world-shattering resurrection: by wrapping it all up in pretty little bows, bunnies, and Santa Claus.
I’m all for bringing people together. I love a good celebration! But the pressure the world puts on these seasons has turned a "holy day" into a "heavy day." These holidays were meant to take the burden off our shoulders, not add to the pile.
Will we keep letting the enemy steal our peace under the guise of "tradition"? No! It’s time to get back to the roots. It’s time to strip away the worldly weight and find the Savior again.
The Subtle Theft of Our Holy Days
The world is a master of distraction. If the enemy can’t make you forget Jesus entirely, he’ll just make Him a background character in a much flashier, more expensive story.
We see it every year. Before the Thanksgiving leftovers are even cold, the department stores are shouting at us to buy, spend, and perform. We’ve traded the manger for a shopping mall and the empty tomb for a chocolate bunny. When we allow these commercial symbols to take center stage, we aren't just "having fun": we are allowing the profound importance of the Gospel to be muted.
Truth vs. Lie: The Holiday Expectations
- The Lie: My children will only feel loved if I provide a "magical" experience filled with expensive gifts and perfect decorations.
- The Truth: My children need a mother who is present, peaceful, and pointing them toward the Unconditional Love of Jesus.
When we focus on the "pretty little bows," we miss the rugged wood of the Cross. We miss the fact that Christmas was about God becoming man to dwell among us because we were lost. We miss that Easter was the definitive victory over death. These aren't just dates on a calendar; they are the anchors of our faith.
The Boulder on Our Shoulders
I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak to the women and the moms out there. I know your heart because I share it. We are already carrying so much. Between supporting our families, helping our babies grow, and navigating our own personal strongholds, we are often barely standing: even with God’s help.
Then, we add the "holiday season."
Suddenly, there is an emotional and financial toll that feels like a physical weight. We ask ourselves: Are we doing enough? Are we getting enough? Are we being enough? The world tells us that the success of the holiday rests entirely on our ability to produce a Pinterest-perfect result.
Sister, that is a boulder you were never meant to carry.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Spiritual Truth: If your "celebration" of Jesus is leaving you exhausted, broke, and bitter, it’s not from Him. The world adds to our plates; Jesus takes the burdens away.
Redefining the Rhythm of Celebration
It is time for us to redefine what Christmas, Easter, and every other Christian holiday look like in our homes. As Christian women, we are the gatekeepers of our households. It is partially our job to show our kids the true meaning of Jesus.
I want to spend more time with my babies being present, not just buying presents. I’m ready to strip away the worldly meanings and get back down to the basics. I want my family to be rooted in God and His Son, not in the shifting sands of consumerism.
When we get back to the deep roots, we find that the true gift was never under a tree. The true gift was when Jesus took our sins and redeemed us. That is the "Good News" that should be the heartbeat of every party and every gathering. Everything else? It’s just extra.
The real fruits we should be looking for are the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If those aren't present in your holiday, then something is out of alignment.
How to Battle the Worldly Noise: Practical Steps
So, how do we actually do this? How do we stop the "boulder" from landing on our shoulders this year? It takes intentionality and a little bit of spiritual warfare.
1. Practice Moderation in Festivities
There is nothing wrong with a tree or a basket, as long as it stays in its proper place. Set boundaries. If the "festivities" are causing stress or financial strain, scale back. God is not honored by our debt or our burnout.
2. Put God and Jesus First (Literally)
Before you open a single gift or hunt for a single egg, spend time in the Word. Use a Bible highlighting guide to walk your kids through the scriptures that explain why we are celebrating. Make the morning about Him.
3. Focus on Presence Over Presents
Our kids grow up way too fast. I refuse to allow stressors from the outside world to prevent me from enjoying those times. Instead of a frantic shopping trip, why not a family prayer night? Instead of a mountain of plastic toys, why not a shared meal where you talk about God’s faithfulness this year?
4. Reject the "Perfect Mom" Stronghold
The enemy loves to use "comparison" to steal our joy. You don't have to compete with the neighbor or the influencer on your feed. Your identity is a "masterpiece" in Christ, not a holiday coordinator for the world. You can find more on this in our Purposeful Motherhood section.
Grounded and Rooted in the Lord
If you’re with me, let’s take these boulders off each other’s shoulders. Let’s decide today that we will be grounded and rooted in our Lord. This way, we can embrace every moment we have with each other.
The holidays should be a time where we breathe a sigh of relief because we remember that the work is done. Jesus finished it on the Cross. We don't have to work for His love, and we certainly shouldn't have to work ourselves into a breakdown to celebrate Him.
Let’s get back to the basics. Let's look at the Woman in the Bible and see how they prioritized the presence of Jesus over the "to-do" lists of the world. Think of Mary sitting at His feet while Martha was distracted by the preparations. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the good portion.
Sister, choose the good portion this year.
A Call to Action for My Sisters
I want to invite you to join me in this movement of "The Grace-Led Life." Let’s refuse to allow the outside world to steal the precious time we have with our families. Let’s show our children what unconditional love looks like: a love that doesn't depend on how many gifts are under the tree, but on the Savior who gave His life for us.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment right now. Close your eyes. Breathe in the truth that You are free. Breathe out the expectation to be perfect.
You are doing enough. You are enough. Because He is more than enough.
Let’s keep our eyes on the North Star of our faith. If you need tools to help you stay focused, whether it's a 75-day tracker to keep your habits holy or a faith-based planner to organize your heart, we are here to support you at Charlet's Stationery.
But more than anything, I just want you to be present. I want you to be rooted. I want you to fall in love with Jesus again and again, stripping away the noise until it’s just you and Him.
Let’s take the "holy" back.
Stay rooted, stay graceful, and keep Him first.
Charlet Billings
