Selfless love, generosity and service to others are central to the life of a believer in Christ. Giving is a lifestyle of sacrificial love, modeled after Christ’s own life and teachings. In John 13:34 Jesus commands: “ … Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
This call to love reflects the deep, unconditional love God has for us, a love we are to mirror in our relationships with others.
He emphasizes caring for the poor, hungry, sick and imprisoned — those often overlooked by society. “Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).
Jesus calls us to serve others with humility: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Moreover, Jesus instructs us to give without seeking recognition: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt. 6:3).
The spirit of giving is quiet, selfless and purely focused on blessing others. God’s love is abundant and unchanging, and it is from this wellspring that we are called to give to others.
Christmas in particular is a time when we are called to give intentionally, generously and cheerfully, but the act of giving can also lead to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual exhaustion. The following analogies show the potential dangers and importance of self-care:
The dry well
As believers, we can be like a well that provides life-sustaining water. But if the well is continually drawn upon without being replenished, it will eventually run dry. A dry well can no longer offer what it does not have.
Jesus demonstrated the importance of retreating to a quiet place to rest and pray (Mark 6:31). After ministering to large crowds, He would often withdraw to reconnect with His Father and renew His strength. Following His example, we must also replenish ourselves through solitude, prayer, rest and reflection to avoid burnout. Self-care, far from being selfish, is a vital part of sustaining our ability to give generously and joyfully. Through time spent with God, we are reminded of His great love for us, which refreshes our spirits and enables us to give to others.
The burning oil lamp
Our Christian lives are like oil lamps, designed to provide Christ’s light to others. But if we continually burn our oil without refilling, the flame will dim and eventually flicker out, leaving both ourselves and others in darkness. Self-care is the practice of refilling that oil, making sure our flames burn consistently and brightly, allowing us to serve others from a place of strength, not exhaustion.
Just as God’s love shines upon us, we are called to let His love flow through us to illuminate others.
The fruit-bearing tree
Believers are like trees designed to bear fruit. This fruit — love, kindness and service — nourishes those around us. However, if the tree is not watered and nurtured, it will wither and its ability to bear fruit will diminish.
Just as a tree needs sunlight, water and nutrients to grow, Christians need spiritual nourishment to continue bearing good fruit. Through prayer, reflection, rest and drawing closer to Christ, we remain healthy and strong, attached to the Vine and able to provide life-giving fruit to others (John 15:1–2). God’s love is the nourishment that helps us grow, and by staying rooted in that love we can flourish and bless others.
Take care of yourself
With all it attending excitement, work and expectations, Christmas can become one of the most stressful and exhausting times of the year.
Here are some practical ways to take care of yourself:
* Recognize emotional and physical limits. Learn to say “no” to activities and gatherings that drain you. Protect your emotional bandwidth by choosing activities that bring peace and fulfillment.
* Spend time with God in prayer, Scripture study, meditation and spiritual reflection. Focus on God’s love and Jesus’ birth, and reflect on what it means to you as a believer. Make space for both personal and communal worship.
* Let go of the pursuit of a “perfect” Christmas. Avoid the pressure to create a flawless holiday. Focus on what matters most: connection, celebration and the birth of Christ.
* Practice mindful consumption and avoid indulgence — whether in food, drink, activity or spending. Make intentional choices that nurture your body, mind and spirit rather than drain them.
* Create moments of stillness and solitude. Take time away from the hustle to pray, read Scripture and reconnect with God. Rest in God’s unconditional love.
* Rethink holiday traditions. Let go of those that have become burdensome and no longer hold meaning. Create new, Christ-centered traditions that bring joy and purpose.
* Guard financial well-being. Refuse to risk financial stability for short-term gratification. Set clear financial boundaries and avoid overspending. Focus on meaningful giving rather than material excess.
* Give yourself space to grieve. The holidays can bring feelings of sadness or loss, so allow yourself to feel those emotions while drawing close to God for comfort.
* Choose a slower pace. Resist holiday frenzy and embrace simplicity. Find joy in stillness and meaningful moments rather than constant activity.
*Eat healthy and balanced meals. Include vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein, and avoid skipping meals. Nourish your body to maintain energy.
* Take breaks from holiday preparations, scheduling downtime to relax — whether by watching a favorite Christmas movie, taking a nap or going for a walk.
* Stick to regular exercise routines. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise improves mood, energy and sleep, and helps combat stress.
* Get enough sleep. The CDC says one in three U.S. adults does not get sufficient sleep. Even losing just one to two hours per night can significantly impact the ability to function. Adequate rest is crucial for maintaining health and well-being during the holidays.
Christmas is a time of joy, love and giving, but it can also bring stress and exhaustion if we forget to care for ourselves. By following Christ’s example of retreat, reflection and renewal, we can give to others from a place of abundance rather than emptiness.
Self-care is not about indulgence, but equipping ourselves to love others better, living out the true meaning of Christmas — celebrating God’s love and the gift of Christ, who came to give us life and light.
Let God’s infinite love be your source of strength and restoration this Christmas so you can share that love abundantly with others.
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