Joy and Peace this Christmas --

With so much going this time of year,  I was beginning to feel frustrated - I just could not settle my mind and focus - have you ever experienced this? 

However; My frazzled mind kept going to two words - joy and peace. Christmas time words that we see and hear so often in December. 

We sing:

Joy to the world

Sleep in heavenly peace

All is calm, All is bright

Peace on earth goodwill towards men 

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

We give and recieve:

Christmas Cards and greetings that bid us Joy and Peace during this season.

But, what about this joy and peace we hear about so much at Christmas?

Do these words ever seem meaningless in this chaotic world we live in.  

Even the world that Christ was born into was chaotic and harsh.  There was little peace.  He was born into our messy world - literally - he was born in a manger - in a stable - an animals food trough in a barn.  And since his birth, it seems the world has only become more messy and chaotic.

Do the words Joy and Peace feel foreign in your busy schedule?  

If Christmas is all about joy and peace… 

Why is it that so often December is the least peaceful month of the year.  

For many of us there is: 

Shopping for gifts

Cooking, Baking

Cleaning

Decorating our homes by putting up trees, wreaths and lights

Planning and attending Christmas Parties and Christmas Programs 

Getting Christmas cards in the mailbox before it’s too late

Wrapping gifts

And then there are the Relatives we must deal with…

And often for many,  it can be the saddest month of the year. 

It is often the time of the year we miss our loved ones the most.  Perhaps they live far away, Or perhaps it is a loved one who has passed away and we long to share the “joy and peace” of Christmas with them.

Yes, There is the hustle and bustle of Christmas, and there may be the lonliness of this season — and it may all be unavoidable 

• But we must not forget that - in the middle of it all - the very reason for our crazy December is Jesus.  
• Jesus - The very one who has given us the gifts of peace and joy - the one who gives us hope 
• The one who promises us rest.  Rest for our souls. 

Throughout the Bible we read many promises of joy and peace especially pertaining to the birth of Christ:

Luke 2:10 – “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…”

Luke 2:14  - “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””

Matthew 2:10 – “They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy…”

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…”

God’s promises fill our hearts with Peace and joy. 

When we hold on to His Word, we can find paece and joy knowing that He is faithful and always present in our lives. 

His promises give us hope, reminding us of His love  - Even when times are tough, we can look to these promises as a source of joy and peace, this Christmas season, knowing God always keeps his promises no matter what else may be going on around us.

This December - I encourage you to set aside some time to sit in the joy and peace that only Christ gives.   Find a way.  You may have to be creative.  You might even have to hide in the closet.

This year, let your Christmas be:

• Joyful –   because God is faithful.
• Peaceful – because Christ is present.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…” Romans 15:13