The Prince of Peace

In less than a week we will celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Interestingly, this is the time of year when things are crazy busy and anxiety runs at an all-time high for many of us. How do we reconcile that in our mind, and in our heart? I think, as I ask this rhetorical question, I can hear Cindy Lou Who singing, “Where are you Christmas? Why can’t I find you?” It is nearly impossible to find the Prince of Peace, the originator of this beautiful holiday, when our lists are so long, our families are so … difficult, expectations are so high and energy is so low!

Can you just sit back and relax a few minutes while I share a few thoughts on how to find the Prince of Peace. Light a candle, grab a cup of hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie (well, not at my house since I haven’t done the least bit of Christmas baking) and just breath in the peace of Christmas.

Peace is strength. Like the calm after the storm, God’s peace gently wafts over us and would go completely unnoticed, had we not just experienced the typhoon of life in the previous days, weeks or maybe even months. Just like the Hebrew children wandering in the wilderness for 40 years when it was right there within reach after a few days journey, we are tossed be one storm after another. The Prince of Peace is right there. He never left. He is sustaining you as you struggle to stand in the forceful winds of trying times. And He will bring you peace, but not without first bringing you the strength to withstand the storm.

Peace is tranquility. We find it in the cease fire moments of life. When we stop trying to be right and invest, instead, in doing right. Battles will overtake us if we look for peace as if were a trophy case where we display our supreme ability to win. Rather than seeking to be the loudest voice with the strongest argument, perhaps we find the tranquility our heart desires when we lay down our armaments and extend the olive branch.

Peace is courage.  When we are afraid, we are not at peace. Our focus is on our anxiety and not on the Peace that can calm our fears. It’s true. We live in a dark, scary, troubles world and have every reason to feel afraid. But perfect love casts out fear, according to scripture. If we focus our attention on loving others, our fears begin to decrease. If we allow others to love us, the way they love (even if it doesn’t really look like love to us), and receive it as a special gift, we tend to lose our grip on the fear of not being loved… or not being lovable. Let God’s love fill you to overflowing and you will find that fear no longer rules your heart and courage has taken up residence. That is a worthy place for peace to find a home.

Peace is joy. Like the innkeeper in the Christmas story proclaiming, “No Room,” to Joseph, we seem to have filled our lives to the fullest capacity, leaving no room for joy. Activities, even of the sweetest variety, tend to run us ragged until we have lost the joy that we know in our hearts is the gift God is trying to give us. Keeping the Joy Giver close at all times, helps us to untangle the calendar that has us completely overwhelmed and begin to realize that joy is a decision we make with every task on our To Do list. Joy is the gift that comes directly from the Prince of Peace. We just have to take the time to breathe and smile and unwrap it!

Peace is Grace. In the carol, Silent Night, there is a verse that describes the Christ child as the “dawn of redeeming grace.” Christmas represents the beginning of reconciliation between God and His beloved people. It is the beautiful story of grace… unmerited favor… undeserved forgiveness… beautiful redemption. Jesus, the baby laid in the manger, showers us with the grace that He fully intends us to “re-gift.”  If you really are searching for the peace of heaven, extend grace to those who are on your last nerve and making life difficult. They have a story. You may never understand it, but they are loved by the One who left heaven to come and bring peace to them and to you.

May your Christmas be filled with…

Joy

Grace

Courage

Strength

Tranquility and

The presence of the

Prince Of Peace

Merry Christmas!