Making Room for Jesus: Finding Peace in the Holiday Chaos

The holiday season hits differently in 2025. Between the digital notifications pinging every three seconds and the pressure to curate the perfect “aesthetic” Christmas for the grid, our lives feel more crowded than ever. We are busy. We are full. And honestly? We are tired.

But this feeling of being overstuffed isn’t new. It’s actually the perfect backdrop for understanding the real heart of the season.

Let’s talk about clearing the clutter—both in our schedules and our souls—to experience the miracle that happens when we simply make space.

The Orthodontist and the Crowded Mouth

Several years ago, I took my son, Shane, to the orthodontist for a consultation. We got the news every parent dreads (and every kid hates): his mouth is too crowded.

It turned out he didn’t have enough room for all his permanent teeth to grow in properly. The solution? We had to make room. And by “we,” I definitely meant the dentist, because I am not qualified for that level of extraction. He needed to have some baby teeth pulled—teeth that aren’t even loose yet—so the permanent ones had a fighting chance.

It sounds painful, right? But the orthodontist explained that by clearing out what’s in the way, his permanent teeth will come in stronger and land in the right places. If we don’t make that space, he’ll end up with a mouthful of what I lovingly call “shark teeth”—rows upon rows of chaos.

Life feels a lot like Shane’s mouth sometimes. We hold onto things that served us for a season (our “baby teeth”) but refuse to let go, leaving no room for the stronger, better things trying to grow.

When the Christmas Tree Runneth Over

This theme of overcrowding didn’t stop at the dentist’s office. It followed me right into our living room.

A few years later, our Christmas tree officially hit its limit. For the first time ever, we had to turn ornaments away. These weren’t just random baubles; these were decorations that usually have the honor of hanging on our tree. We tried to cram them in. We loaded down the branches until they sagged. But alas, they just didn’t fit.

We couldn’t really justify buying a second tree, nor did we have the floor space for one. So, we had to make a hard choice. The “second string” ornaments are now sitting in a festive Christmas tin on a side table. They are still there, but they aren’t center stage.

We had to prioritize. We had to edit. We had to make room for the best by setting aside the rest.

The Original Story of Making Room

This struggle to find space is as old as the Christmas story itself.

Think about the very first Christmas. It wasn’t the silent, peaceful night we see on greeting cards. It was loud, chaotic, and crowded. The town of Bethlehem was packed for the census. Every room was “overbooked.” There was literally no physical space for Jesus to be born.

The innkeeper had a choice. He could have just slammed the door and said, “Sorry, we’re full.” But instead, he offered what he had—a stable. It wasn’t a 5-star suite. It was smelly, dirty, and humble. But it was space.

Joseph and Mary had to make room, too.

• Mary had to make room in her body and her life for a miracle she didn’t fully understand. She asked, “How can this be?” but she still said yes.
• Joseph had to make room in his reputation and his heart. He wanted out initially, but he chose to stay and welcome Jesus into the world.

They didn’t have a perfect plan. They just had open hearts.

Why Faith During the Holidays is Hard (and Necessary)

In 2025, our “inns” are still full.

We fill our lives with commitments, streaming queues, endless scrolling, work deadlines, and holiday parties. When Jesus comes knocking, looking for a place to be born in our lives again, we often point to our calendars and say, “Check back in January.”

We don’t always give Jesus our best. We don’t always welcome Him the first time. We try to fit Him into the cracks of our schedule rather than clearing the center stage for Him.

But here is the truth I want you to grab hold of: Making room for Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

It’s not about having the perfectly decorated tree or the empty email inbox. It’s about looking at the chaos of your life and saying, “I will clear a spot right here.”

Sometimes making that room is painful—like pulling teeth.
Sometimes it’s confusing—like Mary wondering how this could be God’s plan.
Sometimes it’s messy and smelly—like a stable.

But when the room is made, miracles happen.

3 Practical Ways to Make Room This Season

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start small. Here is how you can clear some space for faith during the holidays:

1. The Digital Detox (Even for 15 Minutes)

Our minds are overcrowded with information. Give yourself the gift of silence. Put the phone in another room for 15 minutes a day. Use that time to pray, breathe, or just sit in the quiet. You’ll be amazed at what you can hear when the notifications stop.

2. Prioritize “The Best” over “The Good”

Just like my Christmas tree, you can’t hang every ornament. You can’t say yes to every party or volunteer opportunity. Look at your calendar for the next two weeks. What is one thing you can remove? Take it off the list so you can be present for what matters.

3. Open Your “Stable”

Stop waiting until your life is perfect to invite Jesus in. He doesn’t need a pristine guest room; He’s comfortable in the stable. Bring your mess, your stress, and your anxiety to Him today. That is exactly where He does His best work.

Conclusion: Expect the Miracle

I hope you can make room in your life for Jesus this year. I hope you push back against the crowd and the noise to find that quiet center. Because when you do, you will see the miracles only He can bring.

Don’t settle for a shark-tooth life—crowded, chaotic, and painful. Clear the space. Let the true joy come in.

What is one thing you can “pull” from your schedule this week to make room for peace? Let me know in the comments!

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Until Everyone Hears,

Dr. K