By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer
An advent wreath was not part of our Christmas traditions when I was growing up. We didn’t light advent candles during the holidays or talk about what they meant, so learning about advent as an adult became one more thing on my to-do list.
I had trouble keeping track of what color candle went where, why some people used only white or red candles, and the correct order of observance for each day. Is it Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, or Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace?
I suspect the order and candle color are not as important to God as our embracing of those four priceless gifts.
Today, my church acknowledges Peace, yet I feel like a peaceless hypocrite hurrying around trying to get ready for holiday demands. Is that how it’s supposed to be at Christmas?
No.
We have made it what it wasn’t.
The word advent refers to the coming of Christ, not the coming of chaos. In fact, Christ has the power to conquer the chaos if we let Him.
And what would the absence of chaos look like?
Peace in my demeanor and tone of voice?
Or Peace while searching for a space in the parking lot?
How about Peace in the midst of confusion?
That’s exactly what I need during the holiday crush.
“Peace on earth, good will to men,” the heralding angels told shepherds in the Judean hills a couple thousand years ago.
Yes, peace with God. I can’t be good enough to make the cut where He is concerned. So He did it for me and sent His son to carry my debt and give me a clean record.
That’s what I acknowledge in my heart this week. That’s the candle I light and quiet myself as I stand before it in gratitude.
Peace. His peace.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
~
*If you are one who likes to give books or stuff stockings with them at Christmas, may I suggest a book by Alan Arnold, Chaos Can’t.
Inspirational Western Romance – where the hero is heroic.
#lovingthecowboy
(c) 2024 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved.
#WesternRomance #ChristianFiction #FreeBook #HistoricalRomance #CowboyRomance
As I get older I am less able to deal with the Christmas season chaos.
Christmas should be a time of worship and thankfulness that we have a Savior born miraculously that we might have the HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE!
It’s all about JESUS! It’s all about showing the world that HE is the Reason for the Season!
Amen, Karen! May His peace be yours this Christmas and always.