A
Christmas Gift
As
Christmas Day approaches we can find ourselves running faster and faster
to get ready, and by the time it arrives, many of us just want to get it
over with so we can have some peace! But it doesn’t need to be that way.
Luke
1:79 says that one of the things God sent Jesus to do is ’to
guide our feet into the path of peace’. As believers we have the
wonderful privilege of walking in God’s supernatural peace, regardless
of how busy we may be or what is going on around us. I lived for many
years without God’s blessing of peace, until finally I was so hungry for
peace that I was willing to work with God to make changes, and accept the
gift and path of peace.
Christmas
usually comes with a “storm” of activity and pressure to have more
things and do more things. As a result, many people end up miserable
during what should be a joyous time of celebrating with family and
friends. They trade in their peace for the hustle and bustle of the
holiday season. As Christians, God’s plan is for us to walk in the path
of peace all year round. But peace doesn’t come automatically. We have
to pursue it in order to experience it in our daily lives, and accept the
gift Jesus came to give us.
In
John 14:27 Jesus says ‘my peace I now give you – stop being agitated
and disturbed’. Don’t allow the increased activity of Christmastime
rob you of the peace that is rightfully yours in Christ. Remember, peace
doesn’t come from having certain people as friends, having a lot of
money or feeling good about everything in life. Nor does it come from
having the best decorations, the biggest tree or the most Christmas
presents. Peace is a fruit of living in God’s kingdom, and that kingdom
is within us. With his help we can learn to tap into and walk on the path
of peace.
Make
up your mind that nothing will keep you from enjoying a life filled with
the peace Jesus came to give you the kind that passes all understanding.
Merry
Christmas!
And may God’s grace and peace cradle you this holiday season.