Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaosናሙና

Trade Worry for Peace

During the second week of Advent, we focus on PEACE.

There is a story in the Bible of Jesus visiting the home of two sisters…

As they continued their journey, Jesus came to a village and a woman called Martha welcomed Him to her house. She had a sister by the name of Mary who settled down at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. But Martha was very worried about her elaborate preparations and she burst in, saying, “Lord, don’t You mind that my sister has left me to do everything by myself? Tell her to get up and help me!”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, my dear, you are worried and bothered about providing so many things. Only a few things are really needed, perhaps only one. Mary has chosen the best part and you must not tear it away from her!”
– Luke 10:38-42 (PHILLIPS)

I am a Martha - an avid planner, overflowing with an abundance of ideas just waiting to be put into action. Particularly for a holiday. Or a birthday. Or, for the sake of our purposes here, Christmas.

My elaborate preparations during these weeks leading up to December 25th can bring a lot of joy, community, and gifts… along with unachievable expectations, sleep deprivation, and stress.

It took me some years (and tears) to realize that I have a choice to make as I prepare for Christmas. I can, like Martha, be “worried and bothered about providing so many things” or I can take the opportunity to sit and soak in the story, once again, of Jesus coming to the world in the form of a babe out of His great love for us.

And here’s the best part. By choosing not to worry — and opting instead to meet with God in prayer — we are promised peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Whether you are concerned about the elaborate preparations you find yourself overseeing (at home, the office or school), or how you are going to afford Christmas gifts, or what the celebration will look like without someone you love at the table this year, remember that nothing is too big or too small to take to Him. Although we can feel pulled to plan and prepare and handle those things on our own, Jesus invites us to sit at His feet, give our anxieties over to Him in prayer, and let the overwhelming PEACE of God fill our hearts this Advent season.