How to Prepare Your Heart for a Peaceful Holiday Season
Friend, have you ever felt like the holidays sneak up on you? One day you’re sipping pumpkin spice coffee, and the next you’re knee-deep in Christmas lights, cookie exchanges, and endless to-do lists. Before you know it, December rolls around and instead of feeling joyful, you’re just plain worn out.
I’ve been there too. But what if this year could look different? What if we prepared our hearts in October, before the hustle begins, so that peace, not pressure, defined our holidays?
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Isn’t that such a comforting reminder? God isn’t asking us to run faster, decorate better, or cram more into our already-full schedules. He’s simply inviting us to pause, breathe, and remember who He is. That’s where peace begins.
I want you to think back to last holiday season. What stands out most? Was it the quiet moment by the tree when you finally exhaled, or was it the stress of trying to make everything “just right”?
Sometimes, reflection is the best teacher. I’ve realized that the things I stress about: you know, the spotless house, the perfect side dish, the mile-long gift list, they rarely matter in the long run. What lingers are the simple things: laughter around the table, whispered prayers, and those ordinary moments that feel extraordinary because God was in them.
Here’s a little practice I’ve started: I pick three “non-negotiables” for the holiday season. These are the things that matter most to me and my family, the ones I don’t want to miss no matter what. It might be a candlelight church service, watching football with my family, or setting aside one evening a week to just rest.
Once you know your non-negotiables, it’s so much easier to let go of the extras. The things you say “yes” to carry more meaning, and the ones you decline feel less like loss and more like freedom.
Here’s the thing: peace doesn’t magically appear in December. It grows out of the small choices we make beginning right now. Simple rhythms like a short morning prayer, journaling, or even listening to worship music while folding laundry can help us stay grounded in God’s presence.
Friend, you don’t need an hour-long quiet time to draw near to Him. Even ten minutes with an open Bible or a whispered prayer during your commute can steady your heart. These little rhythms become an anchor when life gets busy.
Practical Ways to Prepare
Along with soul care, a little practical preparation goes a long way:
Meals: Cook double and freeze half. Your future self will thank you.
Calendar: Look ahead now. Can you say no to something before you’re overbooked?
Budget: A little planning today keeps financial stress away later.
Decluttering: Even 10–15 minutes a day makes your home feel lighter.
These aren’t about perfection. They’re about creating space and margin for peace to breathe.
Why start now, in October? Because preparing your heart early makes room for Jesus to stay at the center later. When we wait until December, the noise often drowns out His still, small voice. But when we choose stillness now, the season becomes less about surviving and more about savoring.
Can I gently encourage you? If looking at last-year’s holiday prep stresses you out, let’s change that. You don’t need to strive or hustle your way through the holidays. You just need to prepare your heart, even in small ways. God delights in your presence far more than in your performance.
So, let’s choose peace before the hustle even begins.
Let’s reflect:
What has been your biggest source of stress in past holiday seasons?
What would a peaceful holiday season look like for you this year?
Remember
Peaceful holidays begin with a prepared heart.
Prayer: Lord, quiet my heart in this season. Help me prepare not just my home, but my spirit, so that peace flows into everything I do. Remind me that You are my anchor when life feels busy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I know it helps to have more than just encouragement so I’ve also created a Trello board with Scripture reminders, gift lists, menu ideas, and organizing tips. Think of it as a little guide to help you prepare your heart and your home in a way that feels simple and soulful.
SAVE ON PINTEREST!
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Regina is a writer, homeschooling mom, and owner of a comfort food catering business. A contributor to several publications, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
