Getting in the Christmas Spirit: Rediscovering Joy and Wonder

Every December, conversations turn toward “getting into the Christmas spirit.” For some, it means putting up the tree, hanging lights, or baking cookies. For others, it’s about shopping for gifts or attending festive gatherings. These traditions are wonderful, but the true Christmas spirit runs deeper than decorations or holiday music—it is about rediscovering joy, hope, and wonder through Christ’s birth.

The angel’s announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10–11 captures the essence of Christmas:

¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

(NKJV. 1982)

The Christmas spirit is rooted in this good news. It is not something we manufacture through busyness or consumerism; it is something we receive when we pause to remember that God came near.

The shepherds didn’t have ornaments or carols, yet they were filled with joy because they encountered the Savior. That same joy is available to us today. The Christmas spirit is about letting the miracle of Christ’s birth transform our hearts, so that gratitude, generosity, and worship overflow into every part of life.

Practical Ways to Enter the Christmas Spirit

Getting into the Christmas spirit doesn’t require perfection—it requires intention. Here are a few ways to embrace it:

• Slow down and reflect: Take time each day to read the Christmas story in Scripture. Let the wonder of God’s love sink in.
• Choose joy over stress: Holiday schedules can be overwhelming. Remember that joy is found not in doing everything, but in savoring Christ’s presence.
• Practice generosity: The spirit of Christmas is giving. Look for opportunities to bless others—through gifts, encouragement, or acts of kindness.
• Create Christ-centered traditions: Whether it’s lighting Advent candles, singing carols, or serving together, build rhythms that point your family back to Jesus.
• Carry it beyond December: The Christmas spirit isn’t seasonal. Ask how you can live with joy, hope, and generosity throughout the year.

When Christmas Feels Hard

For some, the holidays bring grief, loneliness, or stress. Getting into the Christmas spirit may feel impossible. Yet the beauty of Christmas is that Christ came into a broken world. His birth was not surrounded by comfort but by humility—a stable, a manger, and ordinary shepherds. That means the Christmas spirit is not dependent on circumstances. Even in sorrow, we can cling to the hope that Emmanuel—God with us—has come.

A Spirit That Lasts

Ultimately, the Christmas spirit is not about a fleeting feeling but about a lasting reality: God’s love revealed in Jesus. When we embrace that truth, the lights shine brighter, the songs sound sweeter, and the gatherings become more meaningful. The Christmas spirit is not confined to December—it is a way of living in joy, generosity, and worship all year long.

So this season, don’t just chase the Christmas spirit—receive it. Let the miracle of Christ’s birth fill your heart with wonder, and let that wonder overflow into your words, actions, and relationships. That is the true spirit of Christmas.