Rest in the Chaos: Peace When Christmas Feels Overwhelming

This devotional takes a brief pause in our Christmas series to address the very real stress many feel during the Christmas season, pointing you to the rest that only Jesus provides.

Finding Rest in the Chaos: When the Season Feels Overwhelming

The holiday season, although wonderful, is known to be busy, exhausting, and in some cases completely overwhelming. Between shopping, decorating, cooking, traveling, hosting, attending events, managing expectations, and trying to make everything perfect—the season meant to celebrate Christ’s birth can leave us depleted and stressed rather than filled with peace and joy.

So in this devotional, I want to take a moment with you to breathe. To pray. To reset our hearts and focus on what truly matters this season. Not the picture-perfect Christmas, but the Person we’re celebrating. Not the flawless execution of traditions, but the rest we find in Jesus amidst the chaos.

Two Kinds of Rest

Jesus offers us two kinds of rest, and both are desperately needed during this season.

First, He offers rest for our weary souls when we trust in Him for salvation. This is the foundational rest—the peace with God we explored in our previous devotional on peace on earth. When we come to Jesus in faith, we find rest from striving to earn God’s approval, rest from the burden of our sin, rest from the fear of judgment. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This rest is eternal, secure, and unchanging regardless of our circumstances.

Second, He offers rest from our daily worries as we lay every burden at His feet. This is the practical, day-to-day rest we need when we’re overwhelmed by circumstances, exhausted by demands, or stressed by expectations. Jesus invites us: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Not “figure it out yourself” or “work harder” or “push through”—but come to Me. Bring your burdens. Find rest.

He Understands

Here’s what makes Jesus’ invitation so comforting: He truly understands what you’re experiencing. Christ lived as we are, experiencing the same needs, wants, and stresses of everyday life. He knew physical exhaustion (Mark 4:38). He experienced emotional distress (John 11:35). He felt the weight of others’ expectations and demands (Mark 1:35-37). He understood loneliness, disappointment, and overwhelming pressure.

When you’re tired, Jesus knows. When you’re stressed, He understands. When you feel like you can’t meet everyone’s expectations or handle one more thing, He’s been there. He knows our frailty, understands our loneliness, and has felt the pain we deal with both physically and emotionally. You’re not bringing your chaos to someone who can’t relate—you’re bringing it to someone who fully understands (Hebrews 4:15).

He Intercedes and the Spirit Groans

And when you’re so overwhelmed you can’t even form words to pray? Even then, you’re not alone. Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit groans for us when we don’t have the words to pray to God (Romans 8:26). When Christmas stress leaves you speechless, when you can’t articulate what you need or how you feel, the Spirit translates your wordless groans into prayers the Father hears and answers.

You don’t need eloquent prayers during this season. You don’t need to have it all together when you come to Jesus. You can come exhausted, overwhelmed, inarticulate, and desperate—and find Him ready to receive you, understand you, intercede for you, and give you rest.

Practical Rest for This Season

As you deal with the occasional (or constant) stresses this season, remember these truths:

You have true eternal rest in Christ. Whatever chaos surrounds you, your soul is at rest in Him. Your salvation doesn’t depend on a perfect Christmas. Your standing with God isn’t threatened by your exhaustion. You are secure, loved, and at peace with God through Jesus, regardless of how this season goes.

You have an understanding Savior. Jesus doesn’t look at your stress with impatience or disappointment. He looks with compassion, remembering His own weariness, ready to shoulder your burdens. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

You have supernatural help. Christ gladly takes your burdens and helps pray with you as you struggle to find the words. The Spirit within you provides strength, peace, and intercession when you’re depleted. You’re not navigating this season in your own strength.

You have permission to rest. Jesus’ yoke is easy and His burden is light. If your Christmas has become a heavy yoke and a crushing burden, you’ve added things Jesus never required. He gives you permission—even commands you—to rest. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is stop, breathe, and rest in Him.

What Truly Matters

This Christmas season, what truly matters? Not the perfect gifts, the flawless decorations, the elaborate meals, or the Instagram-worthy moments. What matters is Christ—His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His ongoing presence with you right now in this chaotic season.

If the stress of Christmas is stealing your joy, you have Jesus’ permission to simplify. To say no. To prioritize rest over perfection. To choose presence over presents. To celebrate with simplicity rather than exhaust yourself with excess. The baby born in a manger didn’t arrive with fanfare and perfection—He came in humble, simple circumstances. Perhaps your Christmas can too.

As you navigate the remaining days of this season, hear Jesus’ gentle invitation: “Come to Me…and I will give you rest.” Not after you’ve finished everything, when you’ve met everyone’s expectations, or when the season is over. Now. In the middle of the chaos. Come and find rest for your weary soul.

He is our rest—not just someday in heaven, but today in the chaos. And His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His peace surpasses all understanding.

Reflection Questions

1. What aspects of this Christmas season are making you feel most overwhelmed or exhausted? Can you name them specifically?
2. What would it look like practically to “come to Jesus” with those burdens and lay them at His feet? What would change if you truly believed His yoke is easy and His burden is light?
3. Are there things you’ve added to your Christmas that Jesus never required—traditions, expectations, or obligations that are stealing your rest? Do you have permission to release them?
4. How can you create space this season to simply be still, breathe, and rest in Christ’s presence rather than constantly doing?

Prayer

Take a few moments right now to breathe deeply. Acknowledge the stress you’re carrying. Then consciously lay each burden at Jesus’ feet, trusting that He understands, He cares, and He offers you rest.