The older I get, the more I enjoy the blessing of peace; not just peace, mind you, but peace that comes of being free and contented and pursuing my own dreams. In school, we learned about “pax romana” or the peace that Rome imposed upon conquered nations. That is not peace at all but a seething quiet of a conquered people. That is not the kind of peace I treasure.
Christmastime to me is peace. Christ came to earth to bring the joy of being delivered from sins and know that we have eternal life with Him. Now, what could bring more contentment, harmony, and satisfaction than that?
Sara and Nathan and I put up a tree with quiet, white lights. The ornaments on it are gifts given to me by people who cared about me. They are reminders that love is unselfish and kind and not given to disharmony. Love does not provoke others or cause them hardship. Love is gentle and peaceful and Christmas is the picture of love.
When I think of the birth of Jesus, I can imagine Him as a baby, wrapped snugly against the cold. Mary and Joseph, tired and amazed and filled with awe are gazing at Him. I think that probably even the animals are quiet and watchful, knowing that something astounding has happened. I would think that the whole world would instantly be peaceful, worshiping at the feet of this Child, God’s Son. However, that is not what happened.
Sadly, opposing forces exist in our world, spirits that are not of God and who do not want peace. Their goal is to disrupt and cause harm and damage and turn people away from peace. When I was a child, if there were demonstrations against displays of the Nativity or the Ten Commandments, I did not know of them. I imagine, had there been, they would have been ignored or laughed out of existence. Not so today. I cringe when I hear of the terrible things a few people do in their efforts to take Christ out of this season. A few claim their rights are violated and those fearful of criticism and lawsuits hasten to comply. This should not be!
I would venture to say that those who oppose Christ or who oppose the rights of others to worship Christ, do not have peace in their hearts. Ugly actions, despicable words, utter selfishness are not symptoms of love and joy.
So, I gather around me the peaceful reminders that this is a season to celebrate the peace that Christ brings: the Christmas tree, the manger scene, candles and carols. Nothing is more peaceful than a gentle snowfall. Even feeding winter time birds is a peaceful thing. Now, is that strange? As I watch those colored tufts of feathers lighting on the bird feeders, I find it is calming. I can forget discord, the bad news bombarding me from the television and newspaper, and just rejoice in watching some of the smallest and most intricate work of God’s hands.
As the Lord said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
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