12 Days of Christmas: Day Three

Welcome to 12 days of Christmas: Godly Girl Version! Carine and I are back once again,  partnering with @em.graceful to bring to you this delightful series which highlights honoring God in this Christmas season as young women. We pray this has blessed you thus far!

Day Three: Fruits of the Spirit

Well, now—for goodness’ sake—what does the Fruit of the Spirit have to do with Christmas? Well, my friend, I’m glad you asked. (Technically I asked, but let’s skip that little detail. XD)

The Fruits of the Spirit are vital in every part of life. These are the visible outcomes of a Christian life, brought about by the Holy Spirit. They declare to the world, “I am a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

At Christmas, it’s all too easy to forget the importance of cultivating these fruits. Instead, we fill our days with scrolling for gifts online, rushing through those charming downtown shops. We shove gingerbread men in the oven while binge-watching Hallmark movies. We valiantly attempt to wear Christmas-themed clothing every day. Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob just had to stop by to say Merry Christmas, of course. And don’t forget the constant corrections of every tiny imperfection on the glowing tree!

From the moment we rise until our heads hit the pillow, life can feel like a whirlwind. In the chaos, we often miss the most important Presence of all—the Lord Himself, the true reason for the season.

This Christmas, I want to challenge you to slow down and intentionally make space for the growth of the Fruits of the Spirit in your life. Let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control be not simply seasonal decorations, but the markers of a heart rooted in Him.

Thus we begin!

Love

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

This Christmas, I encourage you to pause and look around. Perhaps there is a widow in your neighborhood, a young family in need, or someone who is lonely. Consider making them a meal or offering a kind gesture, out of the overflow of your heart. Love can take many forms, and I’d be happy to share more ideas in the comments if you’d like.

But love isn’t always easy. The true test is not just loving those who are easy to love. We are called to love the aunt who drives us crazy, the cousin who pushes every button, the sibling who seems determined to drain the Merry right out of Christmas.

I want to encourage you to take a step of sacrificial love. Offer yourself, your time, your love to someone who may feel “unloveable.” Step outside your comfort zone and show the love of Christ, even when it challenges your flesh. In doing so, you become a living example of the selfless, enduring love He gave us first.

Joy

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Oh, goodness, how often this one is misunderstood or overlooked. Do we truly understand what biblical joy is?

Joy is not the same as happiness, which depends on circumstances or fleeting feelings. Biblical joy is a lasting, inner contentment and satisfaction rooted in God Himself. It is a gift from Him and a conscious choice to trust Him—even in trials—because of the hope and promise He brings.

My dear friend, it is in His presence alone that we find true joy. Not in gifts, achievements, or people, but in Christ Himself. Take a moment to examine your heart: what is standing in the way of your joy today? Surrender it to Him, and let His presence fill you with a deep, enduring gladness that nothing in this world can take away.

Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Is He your Prince of Peace? Your source of calm assurance? The first place you run when life’s storms are raging?

Christmas was never meant to be about rushing hither and thither. It was meant to draw our hearts to the lowly birth of the Prince of Peace, who came to bring calm to our troubled souls in our darkest moments.

Peace isn’t merely the absence of conflict or trouble. It is the presence of God in our hearts, even in the middle of trials. It’s a quiet assurance that, no matter the circumstances, the One who holds all things together is in control. Because of Him, we can walk with confidence, speak with gentleness, and rest with security, knowing that our eternal hope is secure.

This week, intentionally carve out at least one quiet moment each day to pause and focus on Christ, your Prince of Peace. Pause when the world rushes by, close your eyes, and remember the quiet miracle of that first Christmas night. Let the Prince of Peace remind you that His calm is not seasonal—it is everlasting, a gift to steady your heart today and every day.

Patience

“To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.” (Rom 2:7)

I’ll be the first to admit this is one of my weakest points. How quick I am to rush ahead, speak before I think, or leap before I look!

Yet, as dear Carine has reminded me time and time again, God must have had a reason for including patience in the Fruit of the Spirit—and of course, He does. Much of patience comes down to trusting and surrendering to God’s timing and wisdom.

Here’s a challenge for you: take a moment to examine your current life.

1. What are you not waiting for with patience?

2. Why are you not waiting for it with patience?

3. Will you surrender that situation to the Lord today, trusting Him with the outcome?

Kindness

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Prov 1:26)

Well, dear friend, I think we all struggle with this one. For ladies in particular, our tongues can be some of the sharpest things we wield. It’s easy to snap at others or manipulate situations to suit our own desires.

We need to think before we speak. Much of how we talk comes from what we allow into our minds. Are you filling your heart and mind with what is good, or is your tongue guided by the language of the world?

Today, pause and reflect on what and how you speak. When you open your mouth, let the teaching of kindness be what others hear—and let it flow from the Lord working in you.

Goodness

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

May I first say that on our own, we possess no goodness. As Christians, any and all goodness that flows from us comes from the Lord—never from ourselves.

This Christmas season, how can you show others the goodness of God? Sometimes it appears in grand gestures, but more often it is found in quiet obedience—choosing patience when we are weary, offering kindness when it is undeserved, extending grace when it is difficult. God’s goodness is not merely something we speak about; it is something we live out as His Spirit works within us. May we be vessels of His goodness this season, pointing hearts not to ourselves, but to our faithful, loving God.

Faithfulness

 “And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart.” (2 Ch 19:9)

Faithfulness is not something we can sustain in our own strength. Left to ourselves, our devotion wavers and our commitments falter. True faithfulness is formed when our hearts are anchored in the fear of the Lord and surrendered fully to Him.

Identify one relationship God has placed in your life that needs renewed faithfulness. Whether through forgiveness, encouragement, or simply being present, intentionally reflect God’s faithfulness to that person this week.

Gentleness

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” 2 Ti 6:11

Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness— but biblical gentleness is strength under control. It is the posture of a heart that is fully surrendered to God—secure enough in Him to respond with humility, patience, and grace. 

Jesus Himself modeled perfect gentleness—welcoming the broken, speaking truth in love, and extending compassion without compromise. In a world that is often harsh and hurried, gentleness becomes a powerful testimony of a Savior who is “gentle and lowly in heart,” inviting others to find rest in Him.

Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal any areas where harshness, impatience, or pride may be taking root in your heart. Surrender those areas to Him and ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate gentleness within you as you pursue Christ.

Self-Control

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” 1 Cor 9:25 

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Ti 1:7

Self-control is not about rigid discipline or sheer willpower; it is a Spirit-empowered ability to govern our thoughts, words, and actions in a way that honors God. Like an athlete who trains with purpose, we are called to live with eternal perspective—choosing obedience now for the sake of what lasts forever.

Left to ourselves, self-control feels impossible, as our flesh is drawn toward worldly pleasures. Yet God has not left us powerless. Through His Spirit, He enables us to say no to what hinders our walk and yes to what draws us closer to Christ. As we daily submit to the Holy Spirit, self-control becomes not a burden, but a freedom.

This week, identify one area where self-control has been a struggle and intentionally surrender it to the Lord. When temptation arises, pause and pray, relying not on your own strength, but on the Holy Spirit at work within you.

Thank you so much for joining us for Day 3 of 12 days of Christmas: Godly Girl Version! We pray this has encouraged, challenged and equipped you!