How to "slow down" Christmas
This year, I’ve been sending my subscribers a direct daily email to encourage them in to “slow down Christmas.” It’s an intentional embrace of the wonder and delight of the season. Each email links a Christmas post from the past that is unashamedly faith-oriented.
If you’d like to receive these (mostly) daily December emails, please hit the subscribe button here:
Here’s what you’ve missed so far:
Christmas Eve - from 2022’s The Strange Reasonableness of Joy - joy makes sense because of Christmas… and for the rest of our lives.
Day 23 - from 2023’s No Place for Gloom - Christmas displaces depression and despondency.
Day 22 - from 2023’s The Christmas Iceberg - pay attention to what’s below the surface of Christmas
Day 21 - a new post but a year-old sermon - Christmas is for those who grieve - in 2024, I preached this at Northstar.
Day 20 - from 2022’s The Christmas Iceberg - what’s below the surface of Christmas is most important to beware and enjoy!
Day 18 - from 2021’s Sleepy Reflections on Star Trek and Sovereignty - Learn how Star Trek, Christmas and sleepy reflections on God’s sovereignty can fuel your rest and joy.
Day 16 - from 2022’s I Declare Christmas! - it’s time to tell yourself to rest, reflect, rejoice and renew
Day 15 - from 2019’s Christmas “Sections” - “That first Christmas came so quickly that there was no room for Jesus ‘inn’ it. Christmas came so quickly that shepherds were given a heart attack at an angelic pronouncement that boomed from the skies. It came so quickly and abruptly that Herod wanted to extinguish it.”
Day 14 - Merry Christmas from the Nobles 2025 - our annual Christmas card!
Day 13 - From 2018’s I Know Him! - A sighting of Santa at Barnes & Noble reminded me that I know Someone Better
Day 12 - From 2017’s Four Responses to Jesus at Christmas - Which of the responses to Jesus at Christmas do you normally have? Which do you want to have this Christmas?
Day 10 - From 2015’s God the Includer - “inclusive” is a bad word in some circles, but here’s a gentle reminder that we’ve all been included by God’s grace.
Day 9 - From 2017’s A Jesus Christmas - a simple reminder that Jesus is central to the season
Day 8 - Linked 2008’s Where we are - a post about cancer at Christmas
Day 5 - Linked 2009’s How do you spell RELEASE - about a sermon slide deck I botched at Christmas
Day 4 - Linked this year’s new post Christmas readiness - how to get truly ready for Christmas
Day 3 - Linked 2023’s Releasing security at Christmas… a Linus story - which examined some profound hidden moments in the beloved Charlie Brown Christmas Special
Day 2 - Linked 2024’s The importance of Christmas boredom - an invitation to the joy of being bored again
Day 1 - Linked 2016’s Slow down, Christmas - the post that started it all
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What do you think?
I’d love to hear from you either in comments or a message! Which post has helped you “slow down Christmas?” What are some of your practices to help you enjoy the Christmas season? How has your faith been challenged or nurtured at Christmas?
Also, if you’ve enjoyed the posts and are a free subscriber, I’d love for you to consider becoming a paid subscriber in 2026. If a $5/month expense is too much for you, maybe you could consider a one-time $5 coffee tip? ;)