Faith-Filled Holiday Planning: Prioritizing What Matters Most
As the holiday season approaches, the joy and excitement can quickly be overshadowed by a to-do list that seems never-ending. For career-driven moms juggling work, family, and personal commitments, the holidays often bring added pressure to meet everyone’s expectations. But what if, instead of feeling overwhelmed, you could approach this season with peace and purpose? By focusing on faith-filled holiday planning, you can prioritize what truly matters and embrace a season of balance and joy.
This blog will provide practical, faith-based strategies to help you set meaningful priorities, avoid burnout, and create a holiday season that aligns with your values.
Why Prioritization is Essential During the Holidays
It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday hustle, from work deadlines to holiday parties, gift shopping, and family traditions. High-achieving moms are often expected to manage it all seamlessly—without breaking a sweat. The result? Stress, overwhelm, and sometimes even burnout.
Instead of doing it all, prioritization allows you to focus on the things that matter most, leaving behind the unnecessary noise. When you align your holiday schedule with your core values, you create space for what truly brings joy—whether that’s spending quality time with family, nurturing your faith, or simply resting.
Scripture reminds us of the importance of priorities. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.” When we seek God’s guidance in our planning, He helps us discern what’s most important and gives us the peace we need to move through the season with purpose.
Step-by-Step Faith-Filled Holiday Planning
To help you plan your holiday season with intention, here are four faith-filled steps you can take:
Step 1: Start with Prayer
The first step in planning your holiday season is to invite God into the process. Take a moment each day to pray over your schedule, asking for wisdom and clarity. When you seek God’s guidance, you can trust that He will show you how to balance your commitments and focus on what matters most. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
You might begin with a simple prayer like this:
“Lord, as I prepare for this holiday season, help me to see clearly what is most important for my family and me. Guide my steps and give me the wisdom to create a peaceful, joyful season that honors You.”
Step 2: Identify Your Core Values and Priorities
What truly matters to you this holiday season? For some, it may be family traditions, for others, spending more time in worship or rest. Take a moment to reflect on what’s most important to you and your family. These are your “non-negotiables”—the things that must be prioritized above everything else.
Ask yourself:
- What brings my family the most joy during the holidays?
- What traditions are meaningful to us?
- How can I incorporate rest and self-care into the season?
By identifying these core priorities, you’ll know what to focus on and where to set boundaries when it comes to additional commitments.
Step 3: Create a Realistic Schedule
Once you’ve identified your priorities, it’s time to create a schedule that reflects them. Instead of cramming in every event or activity, block out time for your most important commitments first—whether that’s family dinners, church services, or quiet time for yourself.
Use a weekly planner or a digital calendar to map out your holiday season. Be sure to include time for rest and downtime, so you aren’t constantly rushing from one event to the next. A realistic schedule allows you to stay organized without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 4: Delegate and Simplify
You don’t have to do everything yourself! Many moms feel the pressure to be “supermom” during the holidays, but that mindset leads to burnout. Instead, delegate tasks to your family members or simplify your holiday traditions.
For example, if hosting a large holiday dinner feels overwhelming, consider making it a potluck or scaling back the menu. If gift shopping is a burden, try simplifying your list or doing a family gift exchange. Remember, it’s okay to let go of perfectionism and focus on what brings joy rather than stress.
Staying Present and Avoiding Overwhelm
One of the biggest challenges during the holidays is staying present. With so many distractions, it’s easy to feel pulled in multiple directions. However, being fully present with your loved ones is one of the greatest gifts you can give during the season.
To stay grounded, consider limiting distractions like social media, which can heighten feelings of comparison and inadequacy. Set clear expectations for yourself and your family about what you will and won’t do this holiday season, and give yourself permission to slow down and savor every moment.
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” By leaning into prayer and trusting in God’s peace, you can navigate the holidays with a calm and joyful, and thankful heart.
Conclusion
This holiday season doesn’t starting with prayer, identifying your core values and priorities, starting with prayer, identifying your core priorities, creating a realistic schedule, and simplifying where needed, you can enjoy a faith-filled season that aligns with your values. Remember that the most meaningful moments are often found in the quiet, simple acts of love and connection.
With God’s guidance, you can step into this holiday season with confidence and peace, focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the rest.
Ready to embrace a more peaceful, purposeful holiday season? Download my free Holiday Planning Worksheet to help you organize your priorities and stay on track. Also, be sure to subscribe to my podcast for more faith-based tips on balancing work, family, and personal life during the holidays.
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Tune into this podcast for inspiration and strategies to thrive in faith, family, and self-care. And, as the holidays near, check out the episodes for tips on planning a peaceful, faith-centered season. Subscribe now for more ways to balance it all with purpose!