Holidays can bring many stress levels, from planning travel to hosting relatives. We love hosting but worry about everything related to it. Will our house stay clean until they arrive? Do we have enough food? (I usually over-prepare that area.) Did we forget anyone? What happens if they don’t enjoy themselves? On and on, my questions bubble up like a pot ready to boil.
We must stop and pray when we find ourselves ready to boil over. Asking God to grant us His peace that surpasses all understanding. When I pause to pray, I feel His peace wafting down on me. He strengthens me by driving the doubts and questions from my mind and replacing them with His peace, as Paul says so well in Philippians.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Once my heart is calm, we resume preparations. The doubts and questions stop popping up like a pot removed from a hot burner. People will have enough food, a good time, and hopefully meet new friends. Lighting the Peace candle completes the outer ring of the wreath and reminds me of God’s eternal love.
As we light the candle of peace, it reminds us of God’s messengers, His angels. An angel told Mary about the significant change in her life, mainly becoming a mom.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:26-33
This passage says she was “greatly troubled.” Instead of planning, organizing, or asking thousands of questions, she visited her cousin. She trusted God because she lived a life surrendered to Him. God’s peace wafted down on her. She had peace and strength from God.
God’s peace wafts down upon us.
God’s messengers brought His peace to the world through individuals and groups. When Jesus returns, the angels will come with Him and proclaim who He is.
God’s peace wafts down upon us. Sometimes, I must stop to feel it; other times, I sense it amid a trial. Sometimes, I brush it off, too stressed to stop and embrace His gift. When I continue without His peace, my plans unravel, and so do my nerves.
Looking at Mary and how she embraced and clung to God’s peace gives us a good example: slow down and listen, waiting to step out until we are calm and at peace.
Just as angels brought messages of courage and peace throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit now grants us peace in our hearts. We receive peace, strength, and courage from the Holy Spirit. God’s greatest gifts of grace and forgiveness resulted in our salvation and created peace between us and God. God’s peace is a source of hope and encouragement in our lives.
Scriptures to remind us to embrace God’s peace:
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 1:26-33
Matthew 2:18-25
John 14:27
Isaiah 9:6-7
John 16:33
Hymns to sing or listen to:
The First Noel, the Angels, Did Say
Angels We Have Heard on High
Hark the Herald Angels
Questions to Discuss
What are some other stories about angels in the Bible?
What causes you to stress?
What helps you gain peace in stressful situations?
Read Psalm 34. What verses resonate with you? How do they bring you peace?
What can you remove from your schedule to give more time for prayer? How can you share God’s peace with those around you?
Commenti