Help! I’m starting to hate Christmas!

If you’ve ever thought this—or maybe even whispered it to yourself after your 12th rehearsal and 3rd scheduling conflict—you’re not alone. I know, it feels wrong to say it out loud. As a worship leader, Christmas is supposed to be our “Super Bowl,” the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth, the heart of everything we do. But let’s be honest: sometimes, it feels more like running a marathon with no water breaks.

You start the season with great intentions, but somewhere between exhausted, planning multiple services, juggling team schedules, and working with a kids’ choir that can’t stand still. The joy starts to fade, and suddenly, you’re counting down to December 26th instead of celebrating the 25th.

Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not a bad worship leader. You’re just human.

Why Does Christmas Feel So Heavy?

So, why does Christmas—the season of “peace on earth”—sometimes feel so heavy?

For worship leaders, Christmas is a lot. It’s the services (plural), the rehearsals, the setlists, and the expectations—oh, the expectations. You’re planning the most meaningful worship experiences of the year while managing last-minute song changes, broken mic cables, and, of course, fielding everyone’s opinions about what the Christmas service must include.

And let’s not forget the balance of ministry and family. You’re running on fumes after the umpteenth late-night practice, trying to give your best to your team, the congregation, and then still show up for family traditions. Somewhere in the chaos, you find yourself asking, “Wait, did I even pause long enough to worship this season?”

It’s ironic, isn’t it? We know the Christmas story inside and out. We’ve sung about Emmanuel—God with us—year after year. But sometimes, we’re so busy leading others into worship that we lose sight of the miracle for ourselves. It feels like we’re just trying to “get through” Christmas instead of experiencing it.

The Shift: Rediscovering the Heart of Christmas

Here’s the good news: You’re not alone in this. Many worship leaders (and pastors, and church staff) hit the same wall every year. But the even better news? There’s a way back to the heart of Christmas.

Let’s remember how it all started: a humble manger, a quiet night, and a Savior born into the simplest circumstances. No perfectly arranged choir, no production lights, no packed schedules—just God showing up to be with us.

What if we took a step back this year and embraced that simplicity? What if we let go of the pressure to make everything bigger and better and instead focused on the heart of Christmas: presence over perfection?

Here’s a thought: Jesus didn’t come for flawless performances or seamless transitions. He came for you, for me, for all of us—exactly as we are. He didn’t ask for perfection; He just wanted to be with us.

What would it look like if you gave yourself permission to rest in that truth? To focus less on producing the “perfect” service and more on experiencing the presence of the One you’re celebrating?

So How Do We Do It?

How do we shift from overwhelmed to reconnected during the Christmas season? Here are a few simple, practical ideas to help you rediscover the joy and peace of Christmas—even while leading:

1. Prioritize your own worship.
   It’s so easy to get caught up in planning the service that you forget to experience it. Take time to worship outside of “work mode.” Listen to your favorite Christmas hymns or read through the nativity story without an agenda. Let yourself be moved by it again.

2. Simplify where you can.
   Not everything has to be over-the-top. A powerful Christmas service doesn’t require the most elaborate arrangements or the perfect kids’ choir performance (yes, even if little Timmy forgets his lines). Sometimes, simple and heartfelt is exactly what people need.

3. Share the load.
   You don’t have to carry the whole season on your shoulders. Invite your team into ownership of the services—musicians, tech crew, volunteers—let them lead with you. Empowering others not only lightens your load but gives your team the gift of meaningful participation.

4. Pause to reflect, even briefly.
   Find small moments to breathe and connect with God. It could be as simple as reading a verse before rehearsal or stepping outside for five minutes to pray. Those pauses help you center your heart when everything feels chaotic.

If you’ve been dreading Christmas, it’s okay. You’re not failing as a worship leader, and you’re certainly not alone. The pressure can feel overwhelming, but remember this: God never asked for perfection—He just asked for presence.

Christmas is about Emmanuel, God with us. It’s the simplest yet most profound truth, and it’s for you, too. God sees your hard work, your heart, and your desire to lead others well. He invites you to rest in His peace, even in the busiest season.

So take a deep breath. Let go of the need to “get it all right.” Christmas will come, Jesus will be celebrated, and the story will still be beautiful—whether every note lands perfectly or not.

And maybe, just maybe, this year can feel a little lighter.