Feeling more harried and hurried than holly and jolly?
Feeling more harried and hurried than holly and jolly? In this Christmas episode, Dawn explores how the birth of Jesus reminds us that we were created for relationship with God—not a life of endless busyness. The greatest gift of Christmas isn’t found under the tree, but in Emmanuel, God with us.
Show notes
Christmas promises peace, joy, and celebration—but many of us experience the season as a blur of shopping, decorating, parties, and mile-long to-do lists.
If you’re exhausted trying to create the perfect holiday, you’re not alone.
In this episode, Dawn introduces the first step of the R.E.S.T. journey: Realize. We were never created to live in a constant state of rushing and striving. Instead, God made us for relationship with Himself, and Christmas reminds us that He came near through Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us.
Whether this season finds you overwhelmed, grieving, or simply worn out, discover the invitation to exchange anxiety for the lasting peace found in Christ.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- How Jesus offers lasting rest instead of temporary holiday happiness.
- Why Christmas often leaves us feeling hurried instead of hopeful.
- The first step in the R.E.S.T. framework: Realize.
- What it means to be adopted into God’s family through Jesus.
- Why the greatest gift of Christmas is relationship with God.
Scripture references
- John 10:10
- Isaiah 7:14
- Matthew 1:23
Welcome to Unwrapping Rest, a podcast to encourage frazzled women to break free from striving and unwrap God’s gift of rest.
I’m Dawn Tolbert, your host, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Today’s episode is called Feeling More Harried and Hurried Than Holly and Jolly?
I’ve started this message about half a dozen times.
Originally, it was December 2, and I planned to write about how frantic I already felt as Christmas preparations piled up.
As the days passed, I kept starting over, trying to capture moments that seemed to slip through my fingers like water.
I simply couldn’t keep up.
Not with decorating.
Not with shopping.
Not even with sharing my heart with you.
I’d rush home after busy workdays, convinced there would somehow be enough time.
I got up early to address Christmas cards.
Stayed up late wrapping presents.
And don’t even remind me that I usually bake cookies for the neighbors.
Our calendar filled with gatherings, and I became painfully aware of the days racing by.
Then I remembered how I began the year.
I had written:
Let’s trade the rat-a-tat-tat of the world’s demands for the gentle rhythm that aligns our souls with our Savior.
Now the year was nearly over.
It was only a few days before Christmas.
And I realized I desperately needed that reminder myself.
The drumbeat had doubled in tempo.
Then doubled again.
And I still felt like I needed to go faster.
Maybe you feel that way too.
Are you wrapped up in a to-do list longer than a CVS receipt?
Are you feeling more harried and hurried than holly and jolly?
I have good news.
God wants to give you the gift of rest.
He has something far better than temporary holiday warm fuzzies.
Will you trust Him to unwrap your anxiety and exhaustion and provide for your needs in His perfect timing?
The irony is that all of this Christmas busyness surrounds the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Yet somehow we’re so consumed by the celebration that we barely remember to celebrate Jesus.
I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
Jesus said in John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Christmas celebrates God sending His Son to earth as Emmanuel—God with us.
Jesus left the perfection of heaven and came as a tiny baby.
But He didn’t remain in the manger.
He lived a perfect life.
He willingly died for our sins.
He rose again so that we could be restored to relationship with God.
As we begin our journey of unwrapping God’s gift of rest, we first need to Realize that we were designed for something different than all this rushing and hurriedness.
We were made for relationship with God.
When we place our faith in Jesus, we’re welcomed into His family as His beloved children.
The enemy would love nothing more than to use the celebration of Christ’s birth to distract us from Christ Himself.
So take a quiet moment this Christmas.
Remember the first step.
Realize you were made for relationship with God.
If you’re weary…
If you’re overwhelmed…
If you’re grieving…
Tell Him.
He cares.
He is the God who makes beauty from ashes.
Lean into Him.
If you’ve never trusted Jesus personally, let today be the day that changes.
The beauty of Christmas isn’t found in presents or decorations.
It’s found in Jesus.
Our sin separated us from God.
Nothing we could ever do would be enough to repair that relationship.
But Jesus came.
He lived the perfect life we never could.
He died in our place.
He rose again.
Now He offers to clothe us in His righteousness.
When we confess Him as Lord, He forgives us, cleanses us, and welcomes us into His family.
We aren’t just beggars at the table.
We’re adopted sons and daughters of a loving Father.
Now that’s something worth celebrating.
And for those of us who already know Him, let’s spend time reflecting on the miracle of Christmas and the greatest gift the world has ever received.
While the world invites us to chase fleeting feelings of holly and jolly…
Jesus offers something far better.
He makes us holy and joy-filled.
At Christmas…
And always.
I’m praying you’ll discover true rest in your relationship with Him, both now and forever.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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