5 Ways to Carry Christmas into the New Year
By Kristi Stoughton
The Christmas season is glorious, isn’t it? Here in New England, we treasure the quiet blanket of fresh snow, the glow of candlelight, and the joy of celebrating Jesus’ birth together with family and friends. But inevitably, the clock ticks past midnight on January 1st, the festive mood departs, and suddenly we are left with a pile of dry pine needles and the realization that we have to somehow cram 1,000 feet of twinkle lights back into a tiny box. That post-holiday transition can feel stark, pulling us from the wonder of “God with us” back to the daily grind.
For us at By Design Ministries, the heart of Christmas is Immanuel, the presence of Christ. As Christian women and leaders, our purpose is to advance God’s kingdom, and we cannot do that running on fumes. Our challenge is to consciously, deliberately, carry the Spirit of Christmas – the hope, the light, the divine presence – into the practical demands of the New Year. Here are five ways we can keep the greatest gift open and active in our lives.
1. Keep the Gift Open: Live in the Reality of Immanuel
Christmas Day is a memory, but Immanuel is a reality. It is vital for us to remember that God didn’t just visit in Bethlehem, he took up permanent residence through the Holy Spirit. If we focus only on the past story, the New Year can feel empty. Instead, let the truth of the Incarnation change your perspective on God. He is near. He is interested in the budgeting, the carpool, the difficult meeting, and the quiet prayer. Don’t just remember He came; recognize He stayed.
2. Replace Ornament Stress with Spiritual Order
The truth is, taking down the decorations is far more stressful than putting them up. I swear, every year the strands of lights look like a Gordian knot from which no human hand can free them! In the chaos of life and leadership, we can get spiritually tangled, too. This is the perfect time for us to establish or reclaim a sense of spiritual order. Maybe it’s a commitment to a weekly Sabbath rest, a focused 15 minutes of quiet time with the Word, or joining a “Together Group” for accountability. Purposeful habits are not burdens; they are the framework that holds the light of Christ steady.
3. Lead with Wonder, Not Weariness
Think of the shepherds in the fields. After seeing the Savior, they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). They went straight back to the sheep, but they went back different. As women dedicated to equipping and ministry, we often default to simply checking items off our to-do list. Carrying Christmas means ministering with the kind of awe and fresh wonder the shepherds possessed. Approach your service, your family, and your calling not as a tired duty, but as a privileged act of worship rooted in the miracle you’ve just witnessed.
4. Cherish the “Manger Moments”
Mary, the ultimate example of a woman who treasured her experience, “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). The New Year will be filled with noise, distraction, and demands. We must commit to actively noticing and cherishing the “manger moments” – the small, unexpected instances of divine grace. It might be a clear word of guidance, a timely provision, or a moment of profound peace. These are the sweet reminders of Christ's presence, and they are essential for refilling the well of our souls.
5. Embrace the Forward Journey: Go By Another Way
The Wise Men, guided by the star, didn't linger in Bethlehem. They received a divine warning and “departed for their own country by another way” (Matthew 2:12). We can apply this concept to our lives. The new year is a new path. God is calling us forward, using the light of Christ to guide our fresh ways. Carrying the spirit of Christmas means embracing the future with hopeful obedience. We are not designed to dwell on past seasons, but to press on toward the unique calling He has given each of us (Philippians 3:14). Let’s leave the familiar ways of fear and burnout behind and step confidently onto the new path He illuminates.
May your New Year be a continuation of the joy and peace you found at the manger.
Kristi Stoughton is the Associate Director of By Design. She is a native of New Hampshire, where she currently resides with her husband Brian in a little lakeside cottage. They take great joy in their two sons, daughter-in-law, and baby granddaughter. As a Christian speaker, Kristi has a passion for people to know God’s love deeply. She is an MDiv student at Fuller Seminary and is enjoying every minute. Kristi loves playing her guitar and singing on her church’s worship team as well as serving with her musical “sister chicks” as the worship team for women’s retreats and other events.