The older I get, the more I value peace, the kind of peace that calms worry thoughts. To me, Christmas brings that kind of peace along with a quiet feeling of joy. I like to imagine the first Christmas night with Mary and Joseph, tired and amazed and filled with awe, gazing at the baby in the manger. Perhaps even the animals were quiet and watchful, knowing that something astounding has 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. They want to take Christ out of Christmas.
I would venture to say that those who oppose Christ or who oppose the rights of others to worship Him, do not have peace in their hearts. Actions describe what’s within, and it doesn’t look peaceful to me.
So, I gather quiet things around me: the Christmas tree, the manger scene, candles and carols, even feeding wintertime birds. It is calming to watch these, 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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