How to Have a Contemplative Christmas

Last updated on: December 13, 2023 at 3:28 am by Gregory T. Smith

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How to Have a Contemplative Christmas 2023-12-12T17:58:12-08:00 Gregory T. Smith

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Amid the hustle and bustle, you can uncover the beauty of stillness and inner peace—a pathway to a more contemplative Christmas.

Photo by Julia Larson

During this festive time, here are eight ways to explore practices taken from the Gospels that will help you to simplify your celebrations. More than mere holiday observances, these practices represent a more thoughtful way of living. They will help you focus on meaningful connections with loved ones and acts of kindness that resonate with the spirit of Christmas year-round.

Matthew’s Christmas Story

Immanuel—God with Us

When the angel appeared to Joseph, he declared that the child would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” For Mary, this would literally mean that God would grow within her. When we practice the presence of God, we go throughout our day with the awareness of God in all things. Try reminding yourself that the store cashier is also Immanuel. Treat the restaurant server as if she is Immanuel—because she too bears the image of God. As you take the family to the Christmas tree farm, remember that God is present in each needle of every tree. With Immanuel as a daily practice, you awaken to the fact that, like Mary, God is growing inside you, too. Pregnant with the divine presence, you manifest blessing and grace to everyone around you.

Stargazing

The magi were astrologers and wizards from another land who came to Israel in search of the newborn king. According to Matthew, they followed a star to Bethlehem. Like the Wise Men, you can make this a contemplative Christmas by taking up stargazing. Recently, I downloaded a stargazing app on my phone that helps me locate and name the constellations. If the Magi had such tech, they might have found the Christ child years earlier! This Christmas, consider taking a break from the holiday stress with a trip to your local planetarium. Or just drive to the country where there isn’t so much light pollution. Park somewhere safe, spread a blanket, and gaze at the stars. Even if you don’t know the heavenly bodies, slowing down and gazing at the stars can help make this a slower-paced, more thoughtful Christmas.

Go on a Pilgrimage

According to The Bell: News and Stories from Gordon College, the magi traveled nearly nine hundred miles from Persia to Bethlehem. The shepherds’ journey from the fields to the manger was much shorter. In either case, there’s something special about leaving the known behind, in a quest for the unknown. Since the early days of Christianity, believers have found deep spiritual meaning on the pilgrim’s road. If you’re the type to travel for the holidays, maybe consider ditching Disney and skipping the ski slopes this year. Consider one of the many Christian pilgrimage sites around the world. Maybe, like the shepherds and magi, you will find God on the journey.

Thoughtful Gift-Giving

Unless it’s humorously random like at a white elephant gift exchange party, there’s nothing worse than a thoughtless Christmas present. Consider taking the time to consider the desires of the people who will open your gifts. As a thought exercise, try sitting still in a meditative way and holding each person in your heart. Imagine them engaged in the activities that they love. Now, picture their eyes as they open the gifts you’ve thought about giving them. Are they excited by the random thing you ordered after searching “Christmas gift ideas” on Amazon? Now, imagine them opening something thoughtful from you instead. When you utilize the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your inner life to come up with thoughtful gift ideas instead of random stuff nobody wants, you make it a contemplative Christmas.

Luke’s Christmas Story

Return to Your Roots

For Joseph and Mary, this was mandatory. Luke’s gospel says that the Roman governor Augustus decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. The holy family had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the City of David because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David. This holiday season, maybe you’re also traveling to visit family. Some people do this frequently, and others not so much. When you return to your roots, be sure to do so intentionally. Don’t take for granted the time you spend with parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews, and nieces. They (or you) may not be around much longer. By investing a little thought energy, you can make memories on purpose. Do something special. Take pictures. Make sure it’s a Christmas to remember.

Practice Connection

The angels told the shepherds not to be afraid because they brought “good news that will bring great joy to all people.” Notice that they didn’t say, “Some people will be blessed by this news, but for others, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” No—the advent of Christ was meant to unify all people in the love of God. The Christmas story involves people of multiple faiths, nationalities, races, languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It transcends politics, religion, and everything else that divides humanity. It’s the most inclusive story ever told. So, make sure you connect with all sorts of folks this holiday season—especially those who are marginalized. Be deliberate about the relationships you form and cultivate. Reach across the spectrum of humanity. By your love, you too can bring great joy to all people.

Practice Peace on Earth

The angels declared, “Peace on earth.” This year, with the war in Ukraine and Israel, peace seems like a dream. As an individual, there may be little you can do to affect the course of international politics. But you can make a difference in your little corner of the planet. Leave it to world leaders to establish political peace. You can be a person of peace everywhere you go. You practice peace when you choose forgiveness over grudges. Or when you bridge the gap between two warring family members. As a person of peace, you refuse to criticize others—either as individuals or as groups. In a world that’s desperate for peace, we need people of peace just like you to make a difference today.

Ponder These Things

Luke says that Mary “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” In other words, Mary originated the contemplative Christmas. We follow her example when we ponder all the things God has done in our lives. Take time for contemplative prayer. Read the Bible using the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina. Don’t just light a Christmas candle—try sitting before it and staring into the flame, using it as a focal point for meditation. When you engage in contemplative practices at Christmastime, you make the entire season more holy.

The Word Became Flesh

This time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the activities of the season without stopping to take note of their meaning. By engaging in contemplative practices during the holidays, you can ensure that your spirituality doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. In John 1:14, the Gospel writer says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” By practicing a contemplative Christmas, you can bring flesh to the Word once again. Instead of just presents, you can bring the divine presence to your friends and family. And you might just bring peace to your little corner of the earth.

For related reading, check out my other articles:

Contemplative

Travel and Religion

Religious Events

Holidays and special days

Christian pilgrimage

Contemplative Christmas

peace on earth

Seasonal Holidays

The word became flesh

thoughtful gift giving

About Gregory T. Smith

I live in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia and work in northern Washington State as a behavioral health specialist with people experiencing homelessness and those who are overly involved in the criminal justice system. Before that, I spent over a quarter-century as lead pastor of several Virginia churches. My newspaper column, “Spirit and Truth” ran in Virginia newspapers for fifteen years. I am one of fourteen contributing authors of the Patheos/Quoir Publishing book “Sitting in the Shade of another Tree: What We Learn by Listening to Other Faiths.” I hold a degree in Religious Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University, and also studied at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. My wife Christina and I have seven children between us, and we are still collecting grandchildren. You can read more about the author here.

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December 10, 2023

A Thoughtless Gift: Contemplative Prayer