Christmas Devotional: How to Move Closer to Jesus This Season

As a mom, I know a thing or two about hectic holidays. In November I start playing Tetris with our calendar, trying to make every activity fit into the perfect squares. We begin with the best of intentions—longing to prepare our hearts for Christmas and draw near to God. But somewhere between the gift shopping, cookie baking, and holiday parties, we find ourselves caught in the hustle and bustle, wondering: I want to move closer to Jesus this season, but how do I actually do that when I’m this busy?

Updated December 2025

If you’ve ever asked that question, this Christmas devotional for women is for you. Yes, the holidays can be overwhelming. Yes, your to-do list is probably longer than Santa’s naughty-and-nice list. But here’s the beautiful truth: you absolutely can move closer to Jesus this season—no matter how chaotic December gets. So curl up with a mug of coffee (extra peppermint creamer, please), and let’s chat together about how to stay close to God during Christmas.

In the Christmas story, we see three different people who moved closer to Jesus—each in their own way, each from their own starting place. The wise men traveled far. The shepherds ran with joy. And Mary? She was too exhausted to move at all, so Jesus came to her. Wherever you are today—on a long journey, sprinting with excitement, or sitting still in weariness—there’s a place for you in this story.

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How to Move Closer to Jesus This Season

Have you seen that cute little Shepherd on the Search? It’s kind of a “Christian” Elf on the Shelf. (Although the Elf on the Shelf can still be Christian, I’m not calling you an atheist if you do Elf on the Shelf #everyonebecalm)  You move him around each day, closer and closer to the manger scene and eventually he comes close to Jesus on Christmas day.

I’ve been thinking about that little Shepherd and Christmas and all the things that I’m doing or planning to do (going to a live nativity, buying the perfect gifts, baking all the yummy things, making sure my kids know and understand the Christmas story) and in that pondering one question has risen to the surface.

Will you be closer to Jesus on December 25^th?

Because really it is all a wash if I haven’t moved closer to Him. What’s the point of Christmas if I’m so busy chasing Christmas and I don’t move closer to Jesus.

The Wise Men: A Long Journey to Jesus

In the Christmas story, several people moved closer to Jesus—each in their own way. The first ones I think of are the three wise men, who had the farthest and perhaps most memorable journey to the newborn King.

The Long Road from the East

Matthew 2:1-2 says, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”

The wise men are believed to have come from Persia—a journey of approximately 1,000 miles that would have taken 25-30 days of travel, possibly even several months. Their route followed established trade roads through cities and settlements, but also cut through the harsh Syrian desert where water was scarce, temperatures extreme, and the threat of bandits very real.

But the physical journey wasn’t the only challenge. These were kingly advisors, learned astrologers who studied the stars and counseled rulers. For them to seek out Yahweh—a foreign deity—and recognize this baby as the true King and Messiah required a profound spiritual shift. They had to leave behind what they knew, trust what the star revealed, and persist even when King Herod tried to use their quest for evil purposes.

When Your Journey Feels Long

Some of us are going to have to put in major effort to move closer to Jesus this season. We’ll need to say “no” to some good things to say “yes” to the great things.

Maybe that looks like getting up early for quiet moments sipping coffee by the Christmas tree lights, reading the Word before the chaos begins. It may require battleground prayers as we walk into family situations that still hurt or relationships that feel broken. It might mean deep leans into the Spirit for patience when dealing with disrupted sleep schedules, over-sugared children, and a to-do list that never seems to shrink.

Like the wise men, your journey toward Jesus might feel long, hard, and costly this season. But also like the wise men, when you finally reach Him, it will be worth every step.

Let’s move toward Jesus—no matter how long or difficult the road.

A Prayer for Those on a Long Journey

Father, this season feels hard. The path to You seems long, and I’m weary from the journey. Like the wise men who traveled far through opposition and difficulty, I choose to keep moving toward You. Give me strength for the long obedience, endurance for the hard days, and eyes to see the star that leads me to Your Son. Help me say “no” to good things so I can say “yes” to the great thing—knowing You more. Even when the journey is costly, remind me that Jesus is worth it all. Amen.

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The Shepherds: A Joyful Rush to Jesus

The wise men weren’t the only ones who moved closer to Jesus. In fact, some had a much shorter—and much more joyful—journey to the manger.

Running with Haste

Luke 2:15-16 tells us, “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

The shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks by night, when suddenly the sky exploded with angelic glory. The angels announced the birth of the Savior—and the shepherds didn’t hesitate. They didn’t need months to plan or prepare. They didn’t need to pack supplies or map their route.

They just ran.

“With haste,” Scripture says. These working-class men or maybe young women, often looked down upon in society, were among the very first to worship Jesus. Their journey was short—just over the fields—but their hearts were full of wonder and urgency. They couldn’t wait to see the baby the angels proclaimed. And after they saw Him, they became the first evangelists, spreading the news everywhere they went.

RELATED READING: FINDING PEACE WHEN YOU’RE WAITING ON GOD AT CHRISTMAS

When Joy Propels You Forward

Some of us may have a joyfully short journey to Jesus this Christmas—so short we can sprint to Him with hearts full of anticipation.

Maybe that’s you this year. You’re just “feeling it”—the spirit of the season, the joy of family, the delight of digging into Advent with your kids. Jesus feels so close, and you’re excited to press into the Father during this season. You can’t wait to worship Him, serve others in His name, and spread the good news of His birth.

If that’s where you are, friend, keep on running with joy. Like the shepherds, move toward Jesus with a tune in your heart and a spring in your step. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and we need your encouragement. Don’t dim your light—let it shine brightly and point others to the manger.

A Prayer for Those Running with Joy

Jesus, my heart is so full this season! Like the shepherds who ran with haste to see You, I’m sprinting toward Your presence with joy and anticipation. Thank You for seasons when drawing near to You feels easy and delightful. Help me steward this joy well—to spread it generously, to encourage those around me, and to remember that even in this happiness, I still desperately need Your grace. Let my enthusiasm for You be contagious and point others to the manger. Amen.

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Mary: When Jesus Comes to You

Finally, there’s one last person I want to speak to—and her story is different from the others.

A Mother Too Weary to Move

By the time Jesus is born, Mary has been through an extraordinary and exhausting journey. She received a world-changing announcement from an angel. She endured the shame of being pregnant before marriage in a culture where that could cost her everything. She traveled for days while nine months pregnant—likely on foot or riding a donkey along rough, dusty roads from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

And then, when she finally arrives, there’s no room for her. No comfortable bed. No family to help with the delivery. She gives birth to the Son of God in a stable and lays Him in a feeding trough.

RELATED READING: 15 BEAUTIFUL BIBLE VERSES ABOUT CHRISTMAS

I’m a very private person when it comes to giving birth. I don’t want anyone except my husband there with me, and I don’t really like visitors at the hospital. I just want to rest (hahaha!), nurse my baby, and have food brought to me on a tray. I definitely don’t want strangers around unless they’re bringing said food. So I’m in awe of Mary just for not losing it when the shepherds showed up with their sheep and excitement. Bless her.

Mary is physically and spiritually exhausted. She doesn’t have the strength to travel to Jesus. But here’s the beautiful mystery of the incarnation: Jesus comes to her.

Luke 2:10-11 declares, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

John 1:14 adds, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

When You Have Nothing Left to Give

If this Christmas you don’t have the strength to move toward Jesus, He is coming to you.

You just sit there, mama. His grace and truth will come pouring in—right where you are.

Maybe you’re aching from the loss of a loved one, facing that first Christmas without someone who should be at the table. Maybe you’re dealing with illness, holding together a marriage that just isn’t “working,” or exhausted from caring for a newborn. Maybe Christmas reminds you of everything you’ve lost or missed out on. Maybe it dredges up old wounds that leave you feeling paralyzed and alone.

If that’s you, hear this good news: the incarnation means God came near to us. Immanuel—God with us. You don’t have to muster up energy you don’t have. You don’t have to pretend to be joyful when you’re barely holding it together. Jesus meets you exactly where you are.

John 1:16 promises, “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

God doesn’t require your performance or perfection. He doesn’t require excitement or “good vibes” from you. Christ doesn’t wait for us to get ourselves together, He enters into our mess.  

What is Christmas if not the reminder that we do not need to clean ourselves up for Jesus. He is in the ordinary. The humble. He can meet you in an ideal moment as you sing Christmas carols at church or in the minivan as you pray for patience as your child asks you about his Christmas list for the 77th time this month.

A Prayer for Those Who Are Exhausted

Lord, I’m so tired. Like Mary—physically drained, emotionally spent, spiritually exhausted—I don’t have the strength to move toward You today. And yet, here You are. You came to me. Immanuel, God with us. Thank You that the incarnation means I don’t have to muster up energy I don’t have. Thank You that Your grace comes to me right where I am—in my weariness, my mess, my inability. Pour out Your fullness on me. Let me receive grace upon grace, even when I can’t do anything but sit here and breathe. You are enough. Amen.

This season I want to invite us to be intentional and joyful as we get closer to Jesus, like the wise men and the shepherds. And I also want to remind us that Christmas is the ultimate invitation to rest and receive. To simply enjoy and notice EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US in the messy and magical moments of the season. 

A Christmas Prayer for Those Longing to Draw Near to Jesus

Heavenly Father, no matter where we are on our journey to You this Christmas—whether we’re traveling far, running close, or sitting still—meet us there. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, who came near so we could know You. Help us receive the joy and peace You promise. Give us grace to give grace. Refocus our hearts on what truly matters: being closer to You on December 25th than we were on December 1st.

We’re grateful for candy canes and twinkling lights, for family gatherings and favorite traditions. But most of all, we’re grateful for You—for Your grace, Your presence, and Your persistent love that pursues us even in our busiest, most distracted moments.

This Christmas, let us truly see Jesus. And may that change everything.

In His precious name, Amen.

No matter where you are on your journey—exhausted like Mary, joyful like the shepherds, or persevering like the wise men—Jesus is worthy of every step, every sprint, and every moment of rest in His presence. This Christmas, may you truly experience Immanuel, God with us.

RELATED READING: 7 MOST POWERFUL PRAYERS IN THE BIBLE

What the Bible Says About Christmas and Drawing Near to God

As you reflect on moving closer to Jesus this Christmas season, let these Scripture passages guide your heart. The Christmas story is filled with people who sought the Savior—and a God who draws near to those who seek Him.

On Seeking Jesus:

• Matthew 2:2 – “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
• Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
• James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

On the Incarnation—God Coming to Us:

• John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
• Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”
• Luke 2:10-11 – “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

On Receiving His Grace When We’re Weary:

• Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• John 1:16 – “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
• Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”

On Joy and Worship:

• Luke 2:20 – “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
• Psalm 95:6 – “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

These verses remind us that Christmas isn’t just a story we read—it’s an invitation to encounter the living God who became flesh to be with us.

Ready to move closer to Jesus this Advent season? Join me in a daily Advent Bible reading plan! Let’s prepare our hearts for Christmas together.