Over-Consuming During the Holiday Season — And What Our Souls Are Actually Reaching For

Every year around this time, something strange happens.People start buying, clicking, rushing, stocking up, and hunting for the next thing they swear will finally make the holiday season feel right.

More gifts. More sales. More trends. More events. More everything.

But even with all the “more,” the season somehow feels emptier — not fuller.

The longer I walk with the Lord, the more convinced I am that over-consumerism isn’t rooted in greed.It’s rooted in hunger. A deep spiritual hunger we don’t recognize because our culture has forgotten where the fullness actually comes from.

We’ve Detached the Holiday Season From the Heart of the Story

This isn’t about being anti-gift or anti-celebration.Giving is beautiful. Being thought of is beautiful. Scripture honors generosity.There is nothing sinful about buying a gift, wrapping it with care, or enjoying the coziness of the season.

But when society drifts farther and farther from God, something predictable happens:

People still long for warmth…but they don’t know where the warmth comes from.

People still long for peace…but they don’t know the Source of peace.

People still long for meaning, nostalgia, and connection…but without Christ, they have to attach those longings to things.

That’s when consumption steps in as a substitute.

“For those who sat in darkness have seen a great Light.”— Matthew 4:16

When you remove the Light… you naturally start reaching for something else to brighten the room.

Why Even “Good” Things Stop Satisfying

Every human being carries eternity in their chest (Ecclesiastes 3:11).Even if they don’t know God yet, their soul still aches for Him.

So when our culture tries to celebrate a season about hope and light without the actual Hope and Light…people overcompensate.

More gifts. More food. More trends. More dopamine. More distraction.

It’s not because they’re selfish.It’s because their soul knows it’s missing something — but can’t name what that “something” is.

This is why people get stuck in the cycle of buying and still feeling empty.They’re not looking for stuff. They’re looking for God.

A Quick Reality Check: Jesus Probably Wasn’t Born in December — and That’s Okay

I don’t personally believe Jesus was born on December 25th. Historically and biblically, it’s unlikely.

But reflecting on His coming — His incarnation and His rescue mission for humanity — is still beautiful.This whole season, with its lights, quiet evenings, candles in windows, and slower rhythms, is a perfect time to reflect on the reality that:

Light entered darkness. Hope entered chaos. God drew near to humanity in the most unexpected way.

That is worth pausing for.

If you want the full breakdown of my own journey with Christmas — how I wrestled through it biblically and came to a place of peace — you can read last year’s post here:👉 https://www.faithfullegacyliving.com/post/my-journey-with-christmas

A Simple Way to Recenter: Read the Book of Luke

For Advent, I personally recommend something very simple and very biblical:

Read through the Book of Luke in December.

One chapter a day.No pressure. No perfection.Just Scripture.

Luke gives you the full picture:• the birth of Jesus• His ministry• His compassion• His authority• His teachings• His sacrifice• His resurrection

It anchors your heart back to the point of everything —not gifts, but grace.

Over-Consumption Isn’t the Root Problem — It’s a Symptom

People aren’t consuming because they love stuff.They’re consuming because their souls know they were made for joy, peace, and fulfillment…but they’re looking for those things in places that can’t hold the weight. It’s like trying to cure thirst with glitter. Pretty, but useless.

When Christ is removed, we replace Him with:

• shopping

• entertainment

• “magic”

• vibes

• distraction

  
  

And the more we try to fill ourselves with those things, the emptier we eventually feel.

So What Do We Do?

Here’s a grounded, pressure-free approach:

1. Keep giving and receiving — but do it from a place of peace, not pressure.

Gifts are not the enemy.Trying to fill a spiritual void with them is.

2. Invite God back into the season.

Pray. Read Luke. Light a candle. Slow down.

3. Ask Him to show you what your heart is actually hungry for.

He will.

4. Let the Light of Christ be the center —

Because the Light of the world is the whole point of everything.

If You’re Feeling the Holiday Pressure — You’re Not Broken. You’re Hungry.

When Jesus is the center, the holiday season stops being something you chase… and becomes something you receive.

You receive peace that doesn’t shake,joy that isn’t manufactured,and hope that doesn’t evaporate the second the wrapping paper hits the floor.

You stop trying to create magic,because the miracle is already here.

The world may keep buying to feel something —but you get to rest, breathe, and celebrate because the Light of the world stepped into human history…and stepped into your life.

Because the One we’re actually longing for is not a moment…but a Messiah.

Love, Lea