Rediscovering the Heart of the Holiday Season: Beyond the Hustle

What does the holiday season truly mean to you? Is it defined by the frenetic rush of overcrowded shopping malls, the endless parade of holiday parties, or the irresistible call of one too many sugary treats? Perhaps it’s the daunting task of buying presents upon presents, or even adorning your beloved pet with bows and ribbons that leave them barking, “Bah Humbug!”

But what if this holiday season could be profoundly different? What if it could be an opportunity to step away from the commercial noise and rediscover the true meaning of joy, connection, and peace?

I’ve always held a deep passion for living out a truly meaningful holiday season, one brimming with genuine good cheer and heartfelt moments. So, when the wonderful teams at Folgers and Blogher approached me to share some of my favorite ways to celebrate the holidays, and to invite all of you to share your cherished traditions and memories, I leaped at the chance. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect, inspire, and reflect on what makes this time of year so special. So, settle in, as I invite you to catch a glimpse into my little world and the lessons I’ve learned about celebrating these precious weeks. And don’t miss the chance below to share your own stories – I genuinely can’t wait to read them!

Here are a few of my heartfelt thoughts and cherished highlights on how I love to spend the holidays, focusing on gratitude, reflection, and giving…

Thanksgiving: A Foundation of Gratitude

I truly can’t imagine a more perfect way to officially kick off the holiday season than with a holiday entirely dedicated to gratitude. Seriously, think about it: how truly remarkable is it that our nation has set aside an entire holiday, often accompanied by a precious day or two off work, specifically to celebrate all that we’ve been given? It’s a dedicated time to gather with the people we love most, to reflect on our blessings, and to simply exist in a state of appreciation. That’s pretty sweet, wouldn’t you agree? It sets a beautiful tone for the weeks ahead, reminding us of the abundance in our lives before the hustle truly begins.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family that cherishes this tradition deeply, ensuring we spend every Thanksgiving together. The ritual is unwavering: we all make the journey back home to Wichita, where three generations converge under one roof. The day unfolds at a wonderfully slow, deliberate pace, allowing us to savor each moment. It’s a symphony of catching up, shared laughter, enthusiastic shouts during football games, and, of course, the grand centerpiece: an extraordinary meal we prepare and enjoy together. My family is blessed with an abundance of stellar cooks, meaning our table is always laden with an unimaginable feast. From the cherished traditional dishes passed down through generations to new creative culinary adventures, and even the timeless comfort of mac-and-cheese (still a reigning favorite among my younger cousins), there’s truly something for everyone. This unhurried rhythm of the day is precisely what I love most; it allows for genuine connection and the creation of lasting memories.

As Thanksgiving evening descends, another beloved tradition beckons: the magical lighting of the Plaza lights in Kansas City. While I’m usually still in Wichita for the main celebration, I always eagerly anticipate returning home to witness this historic district, conveniently located near my house, transformed into a dazzling wonderland of lights. It’s not just a display; it’s an experience that truly ignites a magical, festive feeling for the entire season. The twinkling lights against the cold night sky always fill me with a sense of wonder and anticipation for the holidays yet to come.

Advent: A Season of Intentional Preparation and Generosity

Over the past few years, my church has become deeply involved in a movement that has, quite amazingly, begun sweeping the world: the “Advent Conspiracy.” It’s a concept that resonates so profoundly with me, a beautiful counter-narrative to the prevailing holiday culture. You can get a sense of its powerful message by watching the short video that ignited it all here, or another heartfelt video crafted by my friend Jason here. I truly love, love, love, LOVE everything about it.

In essence, the Advent Conspiracy is a rising movement dedicated to reclaiming the Christmas season, allowing it to once again be a truly world-changing event. Instead of succumbing to the normal stresses, overwhelming busy-ness, rampant consumerism, and often burdensome debt that holiday industries frequently promote, my friends and I are making a conscious, collective effort to define our Advent seasons by four transformative principles:

• Worship Fully: This isn’t just about attending church services, though that’s certainly part of it. It’s about cultivating a deeper spiritual connection, taking time for reflection, prayer, and truly contemplating the profound significance of the season. It’s about making space for reverence amidst the rush.
• Spend Less: This principle challenges us to rethink our approach to material possessions. It encourages us to prioritize experiences, time, and meaningful gestures over expensive gifts, reducing financial strain and shifting focus away from consumer culture.
• Give More: Beyond the traditional exchange of presents, “give more” inspires us to give of ourselves – our time, talents, and compassion – to those in need, both within our immediate community and globally. It’s about generosity that truly makes an impact.
• Love All: This is the overarching principle, reminding us to extend unconditional love, kindness, and empathy to everyone we encounter, reflecting the spirit of Christ’s love for humanity. It’s about fostering connection and breaking down barriers.

I’ll be delving deeper into these principles and sharing more about our journey with the Advent Conspiracy in the coming months, but words can barely capture how profoundly meaningful it has been to walk through this experience as a community. It has been more of a learning experience than we probably initially imagined – especially in becoming more intentional with how we spend our time, thoughtfully rethinking how to genuinely spend less, and discovering creative ways to make and give truly meaningful gifts to our friends, family, and the wider world beyond. Personally, I’ve especially enjoyed the opportunity to dig deeper into the Advent story itself, exploring the powerful ways the Lord meets us in times of waiting, hope, and eager expectancy. It’s truly good, soul-enriching stuff.

But as challenging as it has been at times to live out this story of intentionality, it has also been ridiculously fun and creatively stimulating. For those of you who might not know, one of my absolute favorite hobbies, besides cooking, is crafting! So, you can imagine my excitement to be leading one of our gift-making workshops at church this year. We typically hold these workshops in advance, usually during November, to help free up precious time for relaxing and truly enjoying December! This year, I’m thrilled to be teaching everyone how to repurpose Altoid tins into cool, homemade magnet or lipstick holders. It’s a blast! We also host an annual Christmas party at my house where, instead of everyone bringing tons of dishes, I provide the main food, and everyone brings children’s books that we then donate to an amazing local non-profit organization. This evening is consistently one of the absolute best nights of my entire year, filled with laughter, community, and the joy of collective giving.

Yet, without a doubt, one of the most heartwarming and impactful aspects of the Advent Conspiracy has been watching the incredible story unfold over these last few years regarding the wells our church has helped build in western Kenya. Bringing clean water to under-resourced countries was one of the initial and core focuses of the AC movement, and it’s truly extraordinary to see the work that has already been accomplished in just a few short years. While we know we still have a long way to go, seeing footage and hearing firsthand stories of fresh, life-giving water gushing forth from these newly constructed wells for the very first time fills me with hope upon hope. It’s a powerful reminder that we truly can be the generation to enact meaningful change in the world.

Anyway, clearly, I could go on and on about the Advent Conspiracy! But it has, quite honestly, become one of the most memorable and deeply meaningful seasons of the entire year for me. I truly cannot wait for it to begin again. It’s a testament to how shifting our focus can transform an entire season.

Christmas: Celebrating the World-Changing Event

And then, of course, comes the culmination of everything – the event that changes the world (and my world) forever. This is what everything leads up to: Heaven breaking into earth. Emmanuel. God with us. This is the ultimate reason to celebrate.

As a worship leader in a church, I am incredibly fortunate to do plenty of that! With what feels like a few zillion Christmas services (I honestly think we have at least 15 now), my first services actually begin on Christmas Eve Eve. From lively gospel hymns to heartfelt rock arrangements, traditional carols, and the deeply moving experience of singing “Silent Night” with thousands of candles being lit across the sanctuary, this celebration of Christ’s birth is always profoundly meaningful. It’s an annual highlight that I eagerly anticipate all year long, a powerful reminder of the hope and light this season brings.

Following these initial services, I usually make a late-night drive back home to Wichita to spend Christmas Eve with my family. Somehow, I’ve been incredibly lucky the last few years to actually have Christmas Eve night off! Our tradition typically involves a wonderful dinner shared with extended family, followed by cherished time spent exchanging gifts and enjoying coffee together, sharing stories and laughter. After that, everyone makes their way to the midnight Christmas Eve service at my parents’ church. More candles flicker, more beloved carols are sung, and there are more opportunities for quiet reflection on the mystery and miracle of Christmas. It’s also a time for warm hugs with old friends and new stories to tell, strengthening bonds that span years.

Finally, with our stockings (often hung by the bookcase, as our fireplace situation is unique!) carefully in place, we all settle down for our long winter’s naps. Then, we awaken on Christmas morning to a few gifts and stockings from “Santa,” who still mysteriously manages to visit my sister, brother-in-law, my beloved puppy, and me. This magical morning is then followed by a relaxing brunch, filled with delicious food and good company, leading into a fun-filled afternoon with the family. This time is usually highlighted by another rousing football game, some yummy holiday treats, and, without fail, puzzles. Ever since we were little kids, doing a jigsaw puzzle together on Christmas Day has been a steadfast and cherished tradition, a perfect blend of quiet concentration and shared accomplishment.

After a few more precious days spent soaking in the holiday spirit and family warmth, I pack up my car and make the snowy drive back to Kansas City. I return, hopefully changed for the better, carrying the renewed spirit and meaningful memories of another deeply cherished holiday season, ready to embrace the new year with gratitude and purpose.

So now, it’s your turn! What are your favorite parts of the holiday season? I would especially love to hear your thoughts on what you have done in the past, or what you hope to do this year, to make the holidays truly full of meaning and “good cheer.” Share your stories, your traditions, and your wisdom in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to make this season the best one yet. 🙂

Or, if you’d like to take your holiday spirit a step further, I wholeheartedly encourage all of you to enter into Folger’s “Best Part Of Wakin’ Up At Home For The Holidays” essay contest. This fantastic contest, which is open for entries until November 30th, invites everyone to share their personal reflections on “What’s the best part of wakin’ up at home for the holidays with Folgers Coffee?” Imagine the comfort, the nostalgia, the warmth of those moments! Five lucky winners will then win an incredible trip home to see their family this Christmas – what an extraordinary gift! All the delightful details can be found here. Also, be sure to check out the other nine wonderful BlogHer bloggers who are joining me in sharing their heartwarming holiday stories here.

Thank you so much for reading along and for being a part of this wonderful community! I genuinely look forward to sharing another holiday season, complete with a bunch of yummy new recipes and heartfelt stories, together right here at Gimme Some Oven.