Seeking Heavenly Peace

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright…

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Unfortunately the lyrics of this beloved carol do not describe my house at Christmas. The weeks between Thanksgiving and December 25^th are packed with so many things to make and do and think and feel. Sugar plumbs might dance through my children’s dreams, but all I want is a little peace and quiet! Simple, meaningful traditions carried out with family and friends. A cup of cocoa, a roaring fire, and the glow of twinkling lights on a festively decorated tree. Is that so much to ask?

Why is this season, the one meant for slowing down, celebrating with family, and savoring the presence of our savior, so chaotic and busy?

Christmas Peace

Peace is what it’s all about, isn’t it? It’s what we’re all looking for. Rest. Harmony. A calm order to our days. When the multitude of angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds, they praised God saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14

Hundreds of years before that, Isaiah told the people what to expect from that Messiah:

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

But where is this promised peace? What does it look like amidst all the extra shopping, wrapping, decorating, caroling, visiting, baking, not to mention regular stuff of life?

A Sign For You

Though Christmas has always been one of my favorite seasons, a holly jolly spirit does not always come naturally to me. I fall very easily into “Grinch-mode”, getting frustrated with all the noise, noise, noise, Noise! The commercialism, the cultural pressure to live up to the perfect holiday – whether that comes from Pinterest or my own expectations and traditions seem so contradictory to peace! Yet over the years I have come to find it really is the most wonderful time of the year because, when I take the time to look, everything, from the carols to the twinkling lights, can be a reminder of who and why we are celebrating.

The angels gave the shepherds a sign to help them find the newborn savior.

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

Likewise, I think all the “stuff” of Christmas can be a sign for us, pointing us back to the Prince of Peace. We can look at the candy canes, Christmas trees, and endless to do lists and get lost, overwhelmed, and kerbabbled. Or we can look at them and see the representation of a promise kept in Christ Jesus. Love made tangible. God with Us. Peace on earth. Peace doesn’t come from the decorations, the gatherings, or the gifts, even when all those things go exactly as planned. Peace comes when we recognize that Christ is the center of the celebration.