Searching for Peace this Christmas
I feel peace as I watch the snow fall outside my window while listening to the hiss of the woodstove. Add a cup of tea and a copy of Jan Karon’s Mitford stories like, A Light in the Window, and it’s so COZY.
Like the Mitford folks, we long for family and belonging in a gentler setting. Yet, the holidays can be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones or have divisions in their family. We can look at the quiet scenes on Christmas cards and read idyllic Christmas stories and wonder how we missed that life.
The Christmas Crazies
December is here and we are knocking on the door of a new year. I’ve done a bit of holiday planning—in my head at least. I received my first Christmas card in the mail—a telltale sign that I’m not prepared for Christmas at all, at least in the practical sense.
December can bring out the angst in people. Rushing, driving, shopping, planning…feeling like they’ll never catch up. The neighborhood looks like a photo shoot in House Beautiful Magazine and I haven’t managed to put my artificial wreath on the door. A friend has been baking cookies and putting them in the freezer since before Thanksgiving and I’m trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight.
I realize comparisons are not healthy. I am not my neighbor. I am not my friend. I am me. And Christmas, My Style is what I am doing this year. I may not be sending hundreds of Christmas cards (just a few mailed to date) or baking all kinds of yummy treats (not good for the waistline), but I’m simplifying and hoping not to rush through December.
The events of the first Christmas were chaotic too! #ChristmasIsACrazyTime #WhereIsThePeace Click To Tweet
The Chaos of Christmas (It’s Not Just Us)
The events of the first Christmas were chaotic too. For hundreds of years the prophets proclaimed and set the stage for the Messiah’s coming—their words said to follow a star in the east; a baby to be born in Bethlehem; born of a virgin; found in a manger. His name will be Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, which means God with us.
I wonder if they were ready for His arrival. Did life cloud the signs of His coming? If the events we read about in Luke and Matthew are any indication, stress was a problem then too. Mary, pregnant out of wedlock; Joseph wanting to divorce her; stares from those in the village; Traveling ninety miles to Bethlehem on the back of a donkey for the census; no room in the inn for Mary to give birth.
This was definitely not idyllic. We never see this angst on those Christmas card scenes.
In the midst of the chaos, God’s plan unfolded. The Shepherds told of heavenly hosts and discovered an infant in a feeding trough just as the angel said. Anna and Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah in the temple after his birth. And, Mary pondered all these things in her heart.
Jesus. Born as a baby, He lived quietly as a carpenter’s son until the fullness of time. Prophets foretold. People waited. Jesus came. And, life went on while Mary and Joseph focused on raising the Son of God.
Focusing on Christ in Christmas and Preparing Room
As I prepare, I’m taking steps to keep my focus simple. It’s easy for the chaos of Christmas to cloud the glory of His coming.
It’s easy for the chaos of Christmas to cloud the glory of His coming. #Advent #SlowDownToPonder Click To Tweet
Rather than getting caught up in the frantic shopping, I did my gift buying online. This enabled me to ship directly to family members who live out of state.
I made some Sugar Cookie and Cranberry Biscotti mixes using mason jars. They look festive and they were fun to put together. These handmade gifts gave a homey feel to my day.
I ‘wrapped’ gifts using festive gift bags and pretty tissue. Not only are they pretty but I can recycle them. My back thanked me when I didn’t need to stand for hours cutting, wrapping, taping and tagging my gift items.
And, most importantly, I’m reading the Christmas story slowly so I can ponder its message. And I am discovering details that are amazing and people who believed despite the circumstances. Read for yourself in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.
This Christmas I am being intentional, making room for the unexpected and watching for His wonders in the midst of my day.
Searching for Peace this Christmas
I may not live in Mitford, but peace can fall fresh on me when I take time to enjoy the small delights of the season. And my heart, when not cluttered with the unnecessary, can prepare the room to focus on Him.
As I focus on keeping Christ the center this Christmas, I am mindful that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He brings Light to a dark world and the hope of eternity. Like Mary, I too want to ponder the treasures of the Christmas story.
Jesus came, born as a baby. In our mind, we often keep Him in the manger, but He came to show us who God is and how much He loves us. He showed forgiveness and grace to all He met. He came to us as a baby, but His purpose was so much more.
John 3:16 tells us, God loved us so much, He sent His Son to die in our place, and anyone who believes who He is will have eternal life. We can also leave Jesus on the cross, in our thinking at least. This would be a mistake because the rest of the story is the victory over the grave. Victory over sin and death. And crushing Satan’s head once and for all to remove His hold over us.
When you find yourself searching for peace, start with Jesus and why He came into the world.
So, Christmas is a perfect time to ask questions like:
Do you really know Him?
Have you made room for Him in your life?
Have you settled accounts with the Savior who came to pay your debt?
He came because we needed a Savior, a perfect lamb, sacrificed once for all to cover every sin with His shed blood. Because He is the only One who brings Peace to a chaotic world and an unsettled heart.
Jesus is the only One who brings Peace to a chaotic world and an unsettled heart. #PrinceOfPeace #ChristmasGift Click To Tweet
May the peace of this season become part of your everyday life,
Jeanne
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How I enjoyed your story, Jeanne. Even the snowy picture from your window spoke of peace and silence.
As I enjoyed my cup of coffee today, looking out at the fresh fallen snow…a deer went racing across the back yard. My first thought was, what could be chasing him?
Then I pictured some of my days, as I rush to and fro, what is chasing me ? Probably the tradition of shopping, baking and wrapping ………I’m grateful for your earlier blog, that reminded me of taking this beautiful Christmas season in a more quiet, simple way.
As always…….you bring HIS peace with your Words.
Thank you
Thanks, Mom. So glad you enjoyed the post. I am really wanting to be more present. Not just during the Christmas season, but daily. I don’t want to miss the small things.
Thanks, Jeanne once again for your wisdom and insight. My Christmas Eve sermon was entitled, “The “Pain” of Christmas.” The text was Isaiah 53:1-12. The main idea was how can we celebrate in the midst of such pain and suffering in our world and in our lives? The answer is Jesus. The irony is the uncomfortable feelings we may experience is the closest we come to the reality of Mary and Joseph that first Christmas. However, Jesus and His salvation always gives us a reason to celebrate regardless of circumstances. Peace and Blessings to you in the New Year!
Thanks for your thoughts, Sheree. Your message sounds wonderful. I think it is hard sometimes to reconcile joy with pain, but Mary and Joseph are a model for us if we look deeper at their true circumstances, rather than the 21st century cleaned up version. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and sharing your insights.