Breathing Through December

This December and January, you’re invited to embrace the ancient Christian spiritual practice of breath prayers. This gentle and simple way of praying is making a big comeback. It’s the perfect way to pray during Advent, as it offers a quieter way of being with God than we might be used to at this time of the year.

Christmas is beautiful and wonderful.

But it can also be awful.

What was once a simple, sacred celebration has become a kind of modern art form—a juggling act of relationships, gifts, money, anxiety, food, travel, expectations, over-indulgence, safety and more.

Christmas brings out the best in us. And the worst. It reveals our values and motivations, our true allegiances and deepest loves. Our shallow longings and unmet yearnings.

Christmas has become a contradiction. We plan and prepare. We procrastinate and panic. We smile and laugh and ugly cry. We remember. We grieve. We try to forget. We’re happy, but we also hurt. We cause pain. We love extravagantly—and still disappoint those we most want to please.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s a time of summer spaciousness. And yet, we so quickly reach the end of our short tethers. All while trying to hold on to what matters most—those right in front of us.

We exchange presents for presence. We walk on eggshells, while breaking fragile hearts. We hold our breath, awaiting the inevitable outburst.

And yet, in the midst of the chaos, the God of Christmas still gifts us moments that steal our breath away.Subtle reminders. Brief glimpses. Of what it’s really all about—Immanuel, God with us.

So, just breathe.

Breathe in—deeply.

Breathe out—slowly.

Pray: Yah-Weh. The Hebrew word for God is literally an inhale (Yah) and an exhale (Weh). Our very breath is prayer. Just by living and continuing to breathe, we are with the One who promises to stay. To remain. Always.

In all that unfolds this Christmas—all that we choose and all that comes unbidden—may we know the God who is with us.

Perhaps instead of opening Advent calendar windows—or maybe as you do—you might adopt a breath prayer for the day, the week, or even the whole month.

There are no rules. No right or wrong way to pray this way.

Just breathe.