Peace

It was before 6am and I was driving to our Coaches Group at Columbus Grove. It was dark. It was still. I felt peace. I couldn’t help but smile, and take a deep breath, and just savor the moment.

The next few days will be filled with anything but peace.

Think about what will be happening:

• Kids off of school
• Presents to buy
• Crowded shopping areas
• Presents to wrap
• Luggage to pack
• Christmas musicals at church

Not only that, but think about the hours in the car to get to family gatherings. Hours in the car with kids out of school. And think about all of the presents in various stages of wrapping — never mind all of the luggage that we hope is completely packed.

Lots of great moments are on the horizon in that list. There’s plenty of interaction and joy and laughter. But I don’t see a lot of peace.

Stillness

So I listened to the quietness this morning. I lived in the peace. I enjoyed God’s early-Christmas present to me and reflected on times in Scripture where we read about peace. To my wonder, it didn’t have to do with being still and having no disruptions. Take a look and see what theme develops.

The First Christmas

The angels brought peace to terrified shepherds.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
— Luke 2: 9-14

The Influence of our Savior, Jesus

First, Jesus brought peace to frightened followers.

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”
— John 20:19

Second, Jesus means peace to those who follow Him.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
— Romans 5:1-2

Fear

My prayer for you this season is you breathe in peace — it’s the answer to fear. Remember that it comes from the Prince of Peace and surpasses every ounce of understanding that you or I have.

Merry Christmas!!

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