Ritual of Rest — Christmas Edition

Christmas can be beautiful — and it can also be full. In this Ritual of Rest: Christmas Edition, we slow down and reflect on the quiet way peace entered the world. Inspired by Luke 2:19, this gentle, faith-filled pause invites you to release pressure, soften your breath, and receive rest — even in the middle of the season. This short episode includes: A quiet reflection on how peace arrived at Christmas Scripture for rest and reassurance A simple embodied ritual to calm your heart A gentle journaling prompt for reflection You don’t have to make Christmas meaningful — it already is. ✨ Take a breath. 🕯 Receive peace. 🎄 Rest in what has already been given.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast,
Slow Beauty, Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus.
I'm Carrie Sharf, and I'm delighted you've decided to join
me today on this journey of gentle reflection and self care.
Today we're sharing a special moment, a ritual of rest
meant to help you find peace amidst the busyness of
the season. Let's take a few quiet minutes together to reflect, breathe,

(00:26):
and remember how peace found its way into Christmas. Welcome.
I'm so glad you're here, wherever you are, whether your
home is full or quiet, whether your heart feels joyful
or tired, this moment is for you. Christmas can be beautiful,
and it can also be full, full schedules, full emotions,

(00:46):
full expectations. Today I want to offer you something gentler.
This is a ritual of rest, a few quiet minutes
to reflect, to breathe, and to remember how peace actually
arrived at Christmas. When we think of Christmas, we offen
and imagine brightness and noise, music, lights, celebrations. But the
first Christmas was quiet, a small room, a resting mother,

(01:09):
a sleeping child. God did not rush into the world.
He arrived softly, and maybe that's our invitation today. Rest
doesn't always come when life slows down. Sometimes it comes
when we do. Christmas piece is not something we achieve,
it's something we receive. Listen to these words from Luke
to nineteen. But Mary treasured up all these things and

(01:31):
pondered them in her heart. Mary, as recorded in scripture,
didn't rush to explain or understand everything. She reflected. She
held the moment gently. Let this be your permission to
do the same. If it feels comfortable, place one hand
over your heart, let your shoulders soften, take one slow
breath in, and let it go. Ask yourself quietly, what

(01:55):
is my heart holding? This? Christmas? Joy, grief, gratitude, longing,
whatever it is, it belongs here. Now Softly whisper or
think these words, Prince of Peace be near. Stay with

(02:17):
that for a breath or two. You don't need to
fix anything. You don't need to understand everything. Just receive.
If you have a journal nearby, or simply in your heart,
consider this gentle prompt this Christmas. I am allowed to rest,
even if let the sentence remain unfinished, if it needs to.

(02:38):
Rest does not require clarity only honesty. As you return
to your day, may you remember this. The peace that
entered the world quietly in Bethlehem is still arriving quietly
even now. May you feel held, May you feel allowed
to slow down, and may rest find you right where
you are. Merry Christmas. If you enjoyed this episode, please

(02:58):
join my newsletter. You can find it along with my
journals and downloads referenced in the show notes. This has
been Slow Beauty, Skincare and self care for women forty
plus with me Carrie Sharf. Today's reflection reminds us that,
even in the midst of our busy lives, taking a
moment to rest and simply be is a gift we
can give ourselves. For more details and additional resources, please

(03:19):
check out the show notes. Thank you for being here,
and may you carry this quiet piece with you well
beyond the holiday season.