Sometimes life can feel exhausting. There is just too much everything. Too much stuff. Too much work. Too much drama. In a society that equates “more” with success and worth, it can be hard to want less. But rarely does “more” bring joy, peace or rest. Typically, “more” means more problems.

We recently got a puppy. He’s a very good boy and is the perfect fit for our family. The thing is, we already had one dog. With two dogs, there are a lot of happy memories being made, but there are also more vet bills, vaccinations, dog food purchases and messes to clean up. In this case, caring for more dogs in our family was the right choice, but it doesn’t come without its consequences.

As I reread the story of Jesus’ birth, I am struck by the simplicity of it. Yes, it was a simpler time, but even for simple times, it’s a simple story. Aside from the angels, the characters are everyday people—an engaged couple, not royal or fancy, but ordinary and obedient. It was a simple manger scene with a small infant. The first guests to visit the new baby and His family were shepherds, people from one of the simplest professions and lifestyles. Here is the twist: it is so simple that who Jesus is—His mission, His heart and His compassion—shines that much greater. The paradox of a king in a manger shows us exactly what type of king He will be, and it’s glorious.

In our world of “more” we miss the magnitude of the simple Christmas story because we lack simplicity in our own lives. Our “more” does not diminish God. Nothing can do that. But it does diminish our view of Him. It’s as if we are in a room full of junk and underneath all the junk is a lantern. We know the lantern is there and it isn’t going anywhere, but imagine how our lives would be changed if we removed the clutter so it could fully shine. With all the busyness of the season—the purchasing of gifts, the stockpiling of stuff, the endlessly full calendars, the many emotions, thoughts and experiences that come with the Christmas season—we leave little room for the miracle of the baby in the manger. This season, let’s carve out room for simplicity in our lives. Let us rid our schedules and our closets of excess. Let us slow down and rediscover the things that truly matter. Things like a simple family with a simple manger and an extraordinary baby.

The Simple Life

• In what ways has your life been shaped by a “more” mentality?
• Where can your life use simplifying?
• What are the simple ways you feel most connected to Jesus? Practice those this week.

Supporting Scripture

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew 6:21

This article was originally titled “The Simple Gift of Christmas” in the December 2024 issue of The War Cry.