All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year—it’s a time to celebrate the birth of Christ! And just like every holiday season, there’s a very good chance you’ll be spending time with friends and family members…sharing meals, shopping, giving and receiving gifts, attending special Christmas programs…and the list goes on.

However, the Christmas season can also be quite stressful. If your days are filled to overflowing with all kinds of activities, it can drain you of your physical energy and leave your mind reeling from the sheer volume. The holidays can also be a difficult time for people who have recently lost a loved one or may be going through a hard time personally.

But even when your days are overflowing with all kinds of activities that can drain you of your physical energy and leave your mind reeling from the sheer volume, you can still have a “peace that transcends understanding” Philippians 4:7 (AMP).

This second week of Advent gives us a chance to focus on the God-given peace that came in the form of a baby. Jesus came so that we could experience the peace of God, and He even taught us how to do that by the life He lived.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace; He left His peace for us to enjoy, and He wants to help us live and maintain a peaceful life. The way to do that is to pursue peace and go after it. First Peter 3:10-11 (NIV) says, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”

One way that we can pursue peace is to enjoy the moment. When we take the time to live in the moment, we enjoy life and the people we are with so much more than we do when we are rushing through our day. Discover something special in each day, and take some time to enjoy every moment this Christmas.

Another way that we can pursue peace is to slow down and be still. Sometimes the pace of life is way too fast and can often be fueled by the expectations of others. If you find that you are having a hard time finding peace, you may need to slow down and take time to enjoy the Christmas season.

If you find yourself getting caught up in the busyness of the season, here are a few simple things you can try to help you maintain your peace…

• Take a deep breath. When things get hectic, slow down and ask God to refresh your peace.
• Spend time talking on the phone or video chat with a close friend. When we get busy, we forget to do the things that bring us joy and help us relax, like talking to someone we care about.
• Enjoy a delicious, nutritious meal.
• Go to bed on time.
• Write down your worries…then throw them away.
• Make a list of things you’re thankful for.
• Get outside for a while. Take some time to breath in some fresh air and get a new perspective.
• Laugh, laugh and laugh some more. Laughter lifts your spirits; improves your mental, emotional and physical health; and de-stresses your mind. And (here is the best part) . . . it costs nothing Proverbs 17:22(NIV).

As we get closer and closer to Christmas, take time to enjoy peaceful moments with family and friends and celebrate the Prince of Peace—Jesus!