I can hardly believe that it is December 6th already.  The older I get the faster time goes…which is really scary because I can’t imagine it going any faster.  Before you know it, Christmas will be here and then we will be counting down the new year. 2017…I remember when the year 2000 was a big deal and we are almost 17 years in already.  Crazy!

During this time of year, there are four words that we hear a lot about…

Peace
Hope
Love
Joy

And the reason for these words this time of year is this:

Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Because I need to remember these four words this holiday season, I’ve been reflecting on them a lot lately.  Today I’m going to start with Peace. How are you doing in the peace department?  I have to be honest, it’s been tough for me.

So much has happened lately.  In recent months, several of my friends have lost a parent.  The election…need I say more?  I’ve seen way too many suicides, physical assaults, property damage, etc.  The KKK paraded in North Carolina this weekend for goodness sake! I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.  The list goes on and on.  How can I expect to have peace in the midst of all of this?

I’ve had experiences where peace will just come over me.  It’s like a magical experience where all the stress and worries are just lifted away.  Have you ever experienced that?  It’s amazing when it happens.  But what if it doesn’t happen?

Sometimes I think we need to create peace for ourselves.  It might mean unplugging from social media for a bit, practicing a discipline that centers us, making time to do something that we enjoy, etc.  When things are stressful, we tend to fill up our days with busy work to distract us.  To gain peace, sometimes we just need to be still.

One thing that helps me is to be in almost constant communication with God. There is so much happening in this world that I just don’t get.  And it can be really frustrating and feel hopeless at times.  Seeing the hurt in others that I see on a daily basis can be really overwhelming.  So I talk to God a lot.  I ask Him a lot of questions.  And I’m still and listen for His voice.  And of course especially at this time of year, I reflect on the gift of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I think the most important thing I can do to bring peace to my life is to try to be a peace maker.  It is not always easy.  Sometimes I hear people say things and my gut reaction is to just want to cut them out of my life.  I always try to take a step back and look at things from their perspective.  I remind myself that we aren’t always going to agree with each other.  And, after all, I am called to love even those who I strongly disagree with.

So let there be peace on earth…and let it begin with me.

And I think a little peace could bring some love into the world…and love matters.