Jesus invites all who are burdened and labor to come to me and rest. Let’s face it—each of us, especially at this time of year, could certainly use more rest. The days are shorter, the nights longer, and the allure of our blankets on cold mornings is hard to resist. One Sunday my three year old son, Ian, was accompanying me up to receive Communion. He noticed the slow and deliberate pace of the line and loudly shouted “Come on everybody, let’s get moving for Jesus!” I reflected (after my initial embarrassment!) that he was right. We all should be moving to Jesus and not motivated by the hectic pace of the season.

In what ways are you moving towards Jesus, especially at this time of year when the yoke of the world—the pressure to rush, to consume, to decorate and to eat can seem overwhelming?

—Julianne Stanz is a speaker, writer and mother of two, originally from Ireland, and Director of the New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay.