Merry & Bright: Rediscover the Peace of AdventSample

Reclaiming Peace

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).

That can’t be right.

With a furrowed brow, I reread the coach’s letter to parents, laser focused on the paragraph laying out not one, not two, but three competitions scheduled in December, two of which were on Saturdays and one was split over two school nights. Sighing as I added those dates to my family’s calendar, I eyed the events and obligations already scheduled in overlapping formation on those precious weekends during Advent.

Someone else quietly admitted to job insecurity with their company in the midst of layoffs. With financial uncertainty looming, the budget for Christmas morning felt uncertain at best and teetering on impossible.

A church member was undergoing tests for a potentially difficult diagnosis. Another was struggling with extended family dynamics.

There are so many different ways to lose our peace, aren’t there? Is it possible to walk through December without losing our peace? I’d argue that on our own, it’s virtually impossible. We’ve turned Christmas into a major event, complete with all the effort and expectations that get wrapped up in planning and executing major events. I’ve yet to meet anyone who navigates those days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day (what the USA calls the holiday season) with complete serenity: unruffled, unrattled, and unfazed.

But with God, it’s not only possible, it’s a promise. And today’s verse reminds us that we can call upon that promise from moment to moment and day to day without shame. His peace is a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10), it is the firm foundation built upon rock (Matthew 7:24-27), it is the warmth of being tucked safely beneath his wing (Psalm 91:4), it is the sheep recognizing the shepherd’s voice, knowing he is safe to follow (John 10:27-28).

When we accept the gift of Jesus’ peace, the circumstances around us may not (immediately or otherwise) be changed, but our perspective shifts. We don’t walk through obstacles or hard seasons on our own. As we move forward, continually choosing to stay in his peace, we can embrace the joy and beauty to be found in this Advent season no matter the circumstances.

Question to Ponder: What steals your peace? Make a list. One by one, hand each item or situation to God, asking him to guard your heart and mind. And consider doing the same for a friend: text them a prayer of peace over both of you that they can read and reread during hard moments.