Read:
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
~Isaiah 26:2-4
Consider:
Christmas, like no other time of the year, has the potential to bring back a flood of memories spanning all the way back to when you were a child. Some of my earliest childhood memories are watching Christmas specials on TV. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” first aired the year I was born. Then there was “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” that first aired in 1966. I remember that one as well. But perhaps the one I remember the most, sitting in front of the television all ready for bed in my pajamas, is “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
Let me refresh your memory, Charlie Brown is unsuccessfully trying to organize his friends, directing a neighborhood Christmas play. His best efforts are being ignored and mocked by his peers. At his wit’s end, Charlie Brown begins to second-guess his efforts and then loudly asks if anyone even knows what Christmas is all about. Hearing this, Linus walks to center stage and recites Luke 2:8-14.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Linus then, gently says, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Indeed, Christmas is all about giving Glory to God in the highest, and having peace on earth through Jesus.
Do you have a vision for making peaceful choices and capturing opportunities with family and friends over the next few weeks? I’m not talking about making elaborate plans that will steal your peace. I’m talking about starting where you are and working with the resources you have, whether many or few. I know personally when I stop trying to have the kind of “perfect” Christmas portrayed on the cover of the magazines, I am then free to have a PEACEFUL Christmas.
Here is a simple activity that I have done to help me focus on Jesus and choose His peace. Find two pieces of paper: one is a square half the size of a 3 X 5 card and the other is a square post it. Write on the square piece of paper a trouble, a burden, or even a dollar sign to signify the burden you are carrying this Christmas that could potentially steal your peace. Now set that aside.
Next write on the post it: “Focus on Jesus”.
When you are finished writing the name “Focus on Jesus” on the post it, place the post it over the concern that you wrote on the square piece of paper. Can you see your burden anymore? No. Is it still there? Yes. But this Christmas season, instead of focusing on the problem, FOCUS ON JESUS. Remind yourself of this when you wake up every morning, and you will be helping your mind to have the peace mentioned in Isaiah 26:2-4,
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
Jesus is:
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
PRINCE OF PEACE
Pray:
My Great and Mighty God,
We confess to you that we need you this Christmas. We know, because your Word tells us, that we will not have to fight our battles alone. We only need to cover them with the name of Jesus and stand firm in our belief that you are helping us. We praise you because we know that while we are waiting, YOU are working. We are not threatened by the concern we wrote down because this has no power over us. YOU are in control of our lives. This Christmas, help us to not be overcome with strife, but to be filled with your Holy Spirit and have peace. In Jesus name, amen.
Today’s post was written by Beth Holland.
