Peace
"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more!" The GrinchEvery year I always wonder where the time goes. It seems that the time leading up to Christmas passes in a flurry of crazed shopping, decorating and seeking out Christmas cheer. By the time Christmas does come we are so exhausted and just ready for the peace that usually happens on the 26th.One of my all time favorite Christmas movies is the live action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Cindy Lou Who struggles with the meaning of Christmas; finding that the in your face celebrations, obsession with presents and the overall lack of substance just does not suit her instead it makes her seek out the real meaning of Christmas.I really relate to Cindy Lou Who; I love receiving presents (who doesn't) and I love finding the right gift to give but in recent years I have found myself desiring more. This year my uncle jokingly asked if I wanted world peace for Christmas. As I thought about it, isn't that what we celebrate on Christmas? Aren't we celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace.I think of all the violence on this earth, all the hatred, the darkness, the fear and my heart breaks. In my recent posts I have delved into hope and how difficult it can be in this cruel world and yet, if I focus on my heart, I can feel the warm glow of hope burning inside. This morning I laid on my brother's couch in the quiet that occurs before the Christmas rush of opening presents and I read my final devotion in my Advent series. This series has been a welcome relief for me each day throughout this season of Advent, allowing me a moment of peace and quiet each day to just focus in on the heartbeat of God. This morning as I lay looking at the tree, the house quiet all around me I found that peace that I have been searching for throughout this Christmas season. Even now as I sit in the living room watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and waiting for dinner to be ready I feel the warm embrace of peace.The devotion (written by Reverend Scott Clark) this morning focused in on a moment of peace, reflection and admiration that occurred so long ago. The moment in which all became quiet and Mary held her baby boy in her arms and pondered the incredible words the shepherds delivered to her. I wonder if her heart craved peace like ours do. Ever since the angel came to deliver the news to Mary it must have been hectic and crazed. Goodness, she traveled to Bethlehem, where the inn had no room afor she and her future husband and went into labor! Labor is already stressful enough (especially in those times) imagine having no place to stay and having to give birth in a stable!After she delivers this incredible baby, visitors come to visit, to worship and share the words that angels delivered to them! After the craziness that had followed Mary for months, after the visitors left and it was just Mary holding her baby I am sure she felt peace. She found the peace that we all search for--the peace that only Christ can bring.I am not sure what you and your family do on Christmas Day afternoon/evening but I hope that you are able to find the peace that Jesus brings. I hope that you are able to take a moment, to stop, simply be, enjoy being surrounded by loved ones and rest in the wonderful news:"For a child has been born for us, a son given to use authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).Merry Christmas my beautiful friends. May the PEACE of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.PEACE, JOY, BLESSINGS and SO MUCH LOVE,Margaret