Peace on earth seems to be the goal of the season, or at least for some song lyrics, but what about peace in us? With the gifts, parties, ugly sweaters, decorating, bonus checks, wish lists, Santa photos, college application deadlines, and cheese dips it seems peace might be the first thing crowded out of the Christmas season.
The American Psychological Association did a study on Holiday Stress and found that, “The hustle and bustle of the holidays has psychological consequences for some respondents. More people are inclined to feel that their stress increases, rather than decreases, around the holidays (38 percent increase versus 8 percent decrease).”
“Christ came to bring peace and we celebrate his coming by making peace impossible for six weeks of each year …. He came to help the poor and we heap gifts upon those who do not need them.” ~ A.W. Tozer
Could we be so busy with schedules, lists, cleaning, and shopping that we forget the meaning of the season is expectancy, awe, wonder, and waiting peacefully for the birth of the King?
“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
“The Omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo. And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created.” – Max Lucado blog
This is the time where the all-powerful chose to relinquish His power in order to bring peace to humanity. We have the ability to be all-busy but we can choose to relinquish some of that busyness in order to replace it will some peace this Christmas season.
What would happen if we slowed down and said yes to one less expectation?
What if we set aside time for spiritual disciplines of solitude and silence? What if we soaked in the season rather than inhaled it as if it were running away from us?
How can you seek peace this Christmas season in a way that you might not have before?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” ~ Matthew 5:9
Go, make peace.