The week leading to Christmas has a theme of “Peace”, but how hectic this countdown becomes for us. Five more days until Christmas! Few of us have time to sit quietly in a chair and read or meditate. More of us sink exhaustively in front of a mindless TV show trying to recover from one mad dash on to the one that starts the next day.
But looking at an easy chair, or thinking about sitting quietly makes me think of the importance of finding peace in the midst of the busyness, between the demands of schedules and people and obligations.
If the Prince of Peace rules your day, how does that day look? Unhurried, caring, and deliberate. Intentional, but with all the sharp edges taken off. No elbowing anyone for position, no crafty finagling, no striving words or pushy demands would find place in those hours. Instead a gentleness encloses the determination to accomplish the necessary and good things of the day, with an eye kindness and concern for those we meet.
I think this is the spirit of Christmas, but it takes time and it takes intention.
Might we sit for a moment in an easy chair to gather our thoughts and plans before the Lord? Lay them at His feet and ask His peace to cover our day? To saturate our mind? And stop as many time as it takes to return to that place, if only in our heart, through the day?
I wish for my feet to be shod in the gospel of peace today. Try on a pair of peace shoes, yourself. Far more comfortable than what we are used to wearing, I’m sure.
The carol for today is “I wonder as I wander”.
The Jesse tree ornament is a book with the scripture verse 2 Kings 23:1-3.
Taking time to read some of the Holy Book and soak in the peace of God.
