The End to a "Sugar-free" Christmas

“When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we may receive adoption as sons.”  Galatians 4:4-5

Christmas is a time for memories, love, and nostalgia, and nothing captures that spirit for me more than my grandmother’s Christmas sugar cookies. Year after year, she makes them using the same time-tested recipes from my childhood. When those cookies are placed out on Christmas Eve, I can taste the depth of vanilla and cinnamon, the richness of her perfectly whipped buttercream icing—spread meticulously in a rainbow of festive colors. These cookies are a hallmark of my holiday season, a bite of tradition that fills me with warmth and joy.

If you have a special family recipe, I’ll go out on a limb and guess it’s not sugar-free. Let’s be real—sugar is often the magic ingredient in the treats we cherish most. It’s the richness, the decadence, the sweetness that satisfies.

But have you ever tried a sugar-free dessert? I have, especially during holiday diets, and let me tell you—it never quite hits the mark. It’s missing that satisfying, soul-soothing quality that only the real thing can bring.

This longing for something authentic got me thinking about the deeper cravings in my life. This was the first Christmas I truly satisfied my spiritual hunger by spending the Advent season in the Word of God. My husband and I committed to reading Scripture every evening after putting our son to bed, reflecting on how it prepared our hearts for Christmas. And friends, let me be painfully honest: before this year, I had been living a spiritually sugar-free Christmas.

Every December, I prided myself on being a gift-giving queen. I had lists, checked them twice, wrapped and delivered gifts with military precision. But amid the sale signs and party invites, the true meaning of the season often became an afterthought. I was so busy with the what of Christmas that I overlooked the why.

This year was different. While I still shopped and celebrated, our family intentionally centered Christmas on the story of Jesus. We read Scriptures aligned with the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. It was transformative.

For the first time, I truly felt the power of Jesus’s story. Christmas hymns that I’ve sung for years brought me to tears. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of God’s love—that He sent His Son humbly into the world so we could receive adoption into His family. I couldn’t get through certain lyrics without choking up, struck by the reality that God loves me—a sinner who often places Him at the bottom of my to-do list.

But He does love me. He loves all of us. Enough to give us salvation through Jesus, who entered this world as a helpless baby, knowing how His story would end. And this year, for the first time, that truth became the foundation of my Christmas season.

No wonder I used to feel so exhausted by the holidays! Without Christ at the center, I was chasing a season devoid of its richest, most satisfying ingredient. I was living a spiritually sugar-free Christmas.

This year, by focusing on God’s Word, I felt the richness of the season in a way I never have before. My favorite moment wasn’t under the tree or at a party—it was driving with my husband and son on Christmas Day, singing hymns with tears streaming down my face. I was in awe of God’s blessings, His love, and the peace He gives us through the gift of His Son.

Readers, if you’ve been feeling like something is missing this Christmas season, I encourage you to turn to God’s Word. Amid the hurry and noise, take time to reflect on the quiet, powerful story of Jesus’s birth. It’s a gift you can return to again and again, especially when the world feels overwhelming.

“No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side—He has revealed Him.” (John 1:18)

This Christmas has changed my heart, and I never want to go back to the way things were. As I look ahead to next year, I’m committing to making Scripture a daily habit, a foundation for every decision I make.

If you’d like to join me in this journey, reach out—I’d love to read the Word with you.

Wishing you a spiritually sweet and joy-filled Christmas season.

With love and prayers,

Kate