Give Yourself the Gift of Tending to Your Soul this Christmas

Dec 14, 2021 | Advent/Christmas, Fuel for Coaching, Fuel for Maturing Faith, Theology Tuesdays

Around Christmas time, I always find myself reflecting on the season. Amidst all the festivities and the flurry I wonder: 

What is all this for?

I guess the more accurate question is:

Who is all this for?

Christmas is For and About Jesus

In the Christian tradition we know this long-awaited day is for and about Jesus. We recognize and remember his momentous, yet humble entry into the world. It is the day God entered onto the scene of our human story and brought salvation to all who believe in him (Romans 1:16).

The expression and celebration of this Christ event over the centuries has taken on many forms: the lights, the parties, the music, the gift-giving and more. It is all lovely and magical isn’t it? And yet, if you’re anything like me, there is always that temptation to get ‘caught up’ in making Christmas about those things: what gifts to buy and for whom, what outfits to wear, what food to serve, and the list goes on.

Striking the Balance between Christ and Chaos

How do we strike the balance between Christ and chaos? Between the reason for and the romance of the season?

Though it is easy to neglect God’s Word in this busy time, I am convinced that it is often through the meditation of Scripture that can snap us back if we’ve gotten off track. This passage in Isaiah did that very thing for me this week and perhaps it can for you too:

“‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.’ Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while he is near.”

-Isaiah 55: 1-3a, 6

The Need for Nourishment that Feeds our Souls

Food and gifts cost money, only last a short time and meet only physical and material needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our souls. When we come (55:1), listen (55:2), seek and call on God (55:6), He promises to delight us with the “richest of fare.” God’s salvation is freely offered but to continue nourishing our souls (as we do our bodies), we must choose to go to God and receive from Him.

This message hits particularly close to home for me this year as we come from an intense (nearly) two years in lockdown. As things open up again and gatherings are allowed to happen, will we change anything about the way we approach the season? Will we choose to slow down? Buy less? And enjoy more of the simple pleasures of beautiful lights, soul-stirring music, deep and rich conversations with the ones we love?

We Must Choose to Tend to Our Souls

The good news is that true nourishment and satisfaction come only from the deep well of our spiritual life and it requires nothing from our wallets, but all of ourselves. We must choose to tend to our souls. They won’t tend to themselves.

But can we do this regularly and faithfully?

For me, tending to my soul can come in small intentional acts that seek to turn my attention to God and fill my soul in the process. Here are some ideas for soul tending this Christmas, that can be done even amidst the inevitable chaos:

11 Ways of Tending to Your Soul this Christmas

  1. Light a candle. This is a ritual I do throughout my day to remind myself of the Light of Christ all around us, even when the world feels dark. I light a candle first thing in the morning, at every meal, and at while my desk while writing or working. The ambiance of a candle also has a soothing and comforting effect that your soul picks up on too. Watch out, you may get hooked and become a candle feign like me!
  2. Memorize a passage of Scripture. This takes some intentionality and mental brain power, but it is so worthwhile because it enables you to recall the beauty and truth of God’s Word wherever you are and whatever you are doing. This season I have committed Psalm 23 to memory and enjoy recalling the peaceful imagery while washing dishes, holding a child or falling asleep at night. My soul is nourished and fed throughout the day when I do this and it guards again negativity, anxiety and other unpleasant emotions that bombard us in our noisy world.
  3. Listen to soul-stirring music. I didn’t grow up with much music in our home, but in today’s world it is so easy to access beautiful music. I am convinced that God’s peace, love and grace can come to us through music. Morning, day and night our home is filled with acoustic worship, beautiful instrumentals and songs that stir and bless our souls towards the Author and Creator of them.
  4. Enjoy food and fellowship with others. It takes effort to make plans or host others, but every time we do, we remark how refreshed, uplifted and encouraged we feel. It is a mystery of the Spirit at work. – “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:20).
  5. Serve and give to someone less fortunate than you. Be it your time, talents or gifts, giving of ourselves to others, especially the less fortunate during Christmas is where true and deep joy for our souls is found (see Acts 20:35).
  6. Attend a worship service. Where I live, kids were not allowed to attend religious services since March 2020. Just last month this changed and we can now attend in-person worship with our children. Though we can worship from anywhere, even and especially our own living rooms, there is some mystery of grace and peace and presence of God imparted when we meet face to face. Our souls were made for this and we must, I am convinced, continue to seek it out.
  7. Read a spiritually nourishing book. I’ve noticed in my own life how a little dose of fresh Truth, insight and inspiration can do wonders for the state of my soul. I make a reading goal list every year and check it off every time I finish a book. I also try and reserve the last hour of most evenings reading and always bring my Kindle tucked in my bag in case there is an unexpected time of waiting that would be perfect for pulling out a book. The last three soul-nourishing books I checked off were:
  8. Listen to a soul-enriching podcast. I listed some of my current favorites in this post here, which I listen to when exercising, driving and cooking!
  9. Go for a prayer walk. Our exercise routines change and adapt with the seasons of life, but one thing I go back to over and over again is walking in my neighborhood park and using this time to put my gadgets down and talk/converse with and pray to God. Something about moving the body can help get our minds clear and hearts attentive to the whisper of the Spirit.
  10. Take a nap. Studies have shown that taking naps can actually boost creativity and productivity. At least this is what I tell myself! Even if it is 30 minutes, allowing yourself to lay down in the middle of the day also affirms your trust in God as God and you as a human needing rest. I often sort through problems as I am napping and come away from nap refreshed with new ideas.
  11. Work with a coach. Deciding to work with a coach for a season can be a form of tending to your soul. Having someone to listen deeply to your inner stirrings, walk with you in wrestling through them and who is committed to supporting you in arriving at the answers and insights you need to move forward may be just the gift to give yourself – or one you love – this year. If this sounds intriguing, consider setting up a free consult here.

Wow, I am actually surprised how these 11 ways of attending to our soul flowed out so freely. What would you add? We need fresh ideas of ways of attending to our souls in a world constantly calling us to attend to everything in our lives but our souls.

So as our schedules fill up again, may we pay attention to our deeper spiritual thirst this holiday season and be diligent in tending to our precious souls. May we take time to be still in between the festivities and the flurry to accept God’s wonderful invitation to come, listen, seek and call on Him, the Master Tender of our souls. Only then will we delight in the richest of fare.