As Christmas rolls around, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Between the shopping lists, the endless events, the Pinterest-worthy décor, and the pressure to make memories that sparkle brighter than last year, it’s no wonder so many of us feel drained instead of delighted. As a mom, I often find myself caught in this whirlwind, wondering if I’ve done enough to make the season magical for my kid.

But lately, I’ve been reflecting on the way Jesus entered the world. His birth—the most significant moment in human history—was so quiet, so humble, so opposite of the fanfare we often feel pressured to create during the holidays.

Luke 2:7 tells us, "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

Think about that for a moment. The King of Kings, the Savior of the World, was born not in a grand palace but in a stable. A smelly, cold, animal filled barn. Mary wasn’t stressing about the crib her baby was laying in, or what others would think of the stable. She didn’t worry about whether everything was picture-perfect or whether enough people would know about His arrival. There was no sparkling tree, no beautifully wrapped gifts, no grand celebration. Mary, a new mom herself, simply trusted God and embraced the moment she was given.

Yet, that quiet, humble scene changed everything.

As moms, we’re constantly bombarded with the idea that Christmas has to be big to be meaningful. We feel the weight of creating picture-perfect memories and finding the perfect gifts, often at the expense of our own peace. But Jesus’ birth reminds us that the most profound things often happen in the quiet, in the simple, in the ordinary.

It’s okay to slow down. In fact, maybe that’s exactly what this season is calling us to do. Instead of adding more to our to-do lists, what if we embraced the stillness? Instead of chasing perfection, what if we leaned into the imperfect moments where true connection happens—like snuggling on the couch with our kids, reading the story of Jesus’ birth, or sharing a simple meal together?

I have been so busy this week baking, shopping, and taking care of all the things. The other night while laying in bed, Luci said to me, "mommy, we didn't read any books today. I like when you read me books and you didn't." So we turned the light back on, grabbed a few books and snuggled in to read. I was reminded of what matters to HER; connection.

Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the "Prince of Peace." Peace isn’t something we’ll find at the mall or in a perfectly executed holiday party. Peace is found when we make room in our hearts for Him. And as moms, we can model that peace for our families by letting go of the pressure to do it all and focusing instead on the one thing that truly matters: celebrating the incredible gift of God’s love.

So this Christmas, let’s take a cue from Mary. Let’s treasure the quiet moments and ponder them in our hearts (Luke 2:19). Let’s let go of the noise and embrace the simplicity of the season. After all, the first Christmas wasn’t about extravagant gifts or grand celebrations. It was about a humble Savior, born in a stable, bringing hope to a weary world.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s more than enough.