Lessons We Can Learn From Cheesy Christmas Movies: #1 Finding Peace in the Middle of Chaos

Welcome to the holidays! Here at the Holden house, we love the holidays. We start celebrating early. The first tree went up on November 1. Soon, we put up several more. We decorate outside our house, our car, and even ourselves with festive clothing. Of course, there is the annual viewing of Christmas movies—a vital part of our holiday tradition.

And yes, I know that all the movies are the same—that’s part of their charm. I laugh along with the millions of memes like, “Let’s have a moment of silence for all of the big city guys who are about to get dumped for a small town boy who wears flannel” and “Once again it’s the season of Hallmark Christmas movies when I wonder how those chicks get eight coats in their overnight bag when they go home for Christmas.”

I’ve asked that second one a lot. Yet, even though they are cheesy and sentimental, repetitive and sometimes ridiculous, hidden in a lot of them is a morsel of truth. That’s why for the next few weeks, I’m going to dive back into blogging and write about “Lessons We Can Learn from Cheesy Christmas Movies.” Here’s a hint—it isn’t how to pack eight coats in one suitcase—that’s just Christmas magic.

Speaking of Christmas magic….

As someone who has watched A LOT (that’s an understatement) of Christmas movies, one of the recurring plots is the big city executive—male or female—is completely exhausted, worn-down, and rundown from their very important, very successful, very demanding job at their big city firm. They get a call from someone back home asking if they will make it home this Christmas, and the answer is always, “I wish I could, but there’s just no way. I’m working 120 bizzion hours a week and the firm can’t survive without me. Maybe next year.”

Then a series of events spirals into motion, demanding that our tired, distraught, overworked hero or heroine return to their hometown or a small town—for work, of course.

There, they discovered what they call the “spirit of Christmas”. Only what they really find is life moving at a slower pace, a sense of community, and in some plots, some good old-fashioned rest. Instead of working and being stressed all the time, they start having some fun. They get off their phones and enjoy conversations. Their hearts and minds are rejuvenated, and they begin to think, “This is kinda nice.”

I genuinely believe that one of the reasons these movies are so appealing is that, in today’s crazy, chaotic world, many of us long for this kind of rest and revitalization—to escape the hustle and bustle, find rest, and rediscover our purpose.

Of course, most of us know that Christmas doesn’t usually bring less stress—it elevates it. If we aren’t careful, our calendars can fill up so much that we walk into January feeling more exhausted, overwhelmed, and haggard.

How do we keep this from happening?

Unfortunately, there is no magical Christmas spirit that’s going to drop restful fairy dust on you.

However, you can make some choices that will help you find rest and be refreshed by the Holy Spirit.

What are those choices?

First, control your schedule rather than letting it control you. Remember, you don’t have to do everything your neighbors, your family, or even your church wants you to do. You can guard your calendar, choose what events you’ll participate in, and decide to have a Merry Little Christmas.

Second, prioritize times for rest and refreshment—both physically and spiritually.

Even though it’s the holidays, make sure you’re eating right and getting enough sleep. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you sacrifice your health. Remember it’s a holiday, not work.

Spiritually, we need to remember that Christmas is about Jesus.

If we want to avoid being ragged, rundown Grinches who can’t wait for Christmas to be over, we need to prioritize spending time with Jesus in prayer and in God’s Word. Because the truth is that Christmas will wear you out, but in Jesus, we find rest.

As the Bible says,

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. -Matthew 11:29, NLT

Jesus set the example of finding rest in His busy seasons by spending time with God. In Matthew 14:23, we see that after Jesus spent a long day preaching and feeding the five thousand people, “He went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”

Luke 5:16 tells us Jesus did this often.

With people constantly demanding His time and attention, preaching, teaching, and healing the sick, Jesus knew what it was to be stressed. Yet, He found His rest in spending time with His Heavenly Father.

This holiday season, I encourage you to do the same. Don’t wait for “Christmas spirit” to refresh and refuel you.

Be proactive and choose to follow Jesus’ example, find a quiet place, and spend time with Your Heavenly Father. Let Him refuel you, renew your sense of purpose, and give you all you need to live your life for Him.

-Adessa