By: Rhett Seitz
Whether you realized it or not, the holidays are here—and, boy, are they in full swing. It seems like people start celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier every year, as if Thanksgiving isn’t quite enough for us anymore. I’ll admit, I’m one of those people who refuse to flip the switch to Christmas mode until Thanksgiving is officially in the rearview mirror.
“’Tis the season to be jolly / fa la la la la la la la la.” Okay, if you didn’t start singing along, that’s fine. Not everyone is in the holiday mood yet. Honestly, some years it’s brutally hard to get there. And it’s not because people dislike Christmas. Most people want to enjoy the season. Sometimes they’re simply worn down by life and what the year has brought, long before December rolls around. Maybe it’s the stress of the past year, family pressure, financial strain or the sheer weight of everything we’ve been carrying this year. Holiday grief is real, and so is holiday exhaustion.
For many, this time of year brings memories of loved ones who aren’t here anymore. For others, it reminds them of a tough season they’d rather forget. I’ve noticed the same thing in my own life: when things feel chaotic or uncertain, it’s harder to celebrate. When things are going well, the holidays feel lighter and easier to embrace.
But whether this year feels joyful or heavy, there are ways to ease into the season without burning out.
1. Celebrate when you’re ready.
There’s no trophy for being the first person to hang lights on Nov. 1. You’re allowed to start celebrating when it feels right for you. If you’re not emotionally there yet, don’t force it. Give yourself permission to ease into the season at your own pace.
2. Watch a Christmas movie.
Sometimes all it takes is one classic (or cheesy) Christmas movie to spark some warmth again. If you need a laugh, start with Elf. If you want something nostalgic and heartfelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas is hard to beat.
3. Let the music do the work.
If you really need something to jolt you into holiday mode, Christmas music might be your best bet. There are countless genres—classics, Christian, jazz, R&B, pop covers, you name it. Even one good playlist can flip your mood faster than you’d expect. And yes, you’re allowed to skip “All I Want for Christmas Is You” if you’ve hit your yearly limit.
4. Focus on giving, not getting.
The world pushes the idea that the holidays are about receiving. But giving is what actually fills you up. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, buying a friend coffee or simply being present for someone, giving shifts your focus outward and lifts your spirits in the process. What makes the holidays important is focusing on others. Additionally, reaching out to a friend or loved one will boost your spirit.
5. Remember what Christmas is really about.
Gifts, lights, music and traditions are great. But for Christians, Christmas is ultimately about something much bigger. It’s about Jesus coming into a broken world with hope and purpose. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” After all, it’s in our name: Adventism. The second advent, which we celebrate and will soon experience, would not take place if it wasn’t for the first advent. This is the core of the season. Not consumerism, not the chaos and not the perfect Instagram moment. Christmas is a reminder that hope arrived—and still arrives—even in the messiest seasons of our lives. When we remember that, everything else falls into place.
So instead of saying “bah humbug” this year, give yourself space to breathe and rediscover joy, even if it takes a little time. Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Start where you are, celebrate at your pace and let the season meet you there.
Sometimes the most powerful part of Christmas isn’t the celebration; it’s the reminder that hope shows up exactly when we need it.
