Perhaps this isn’t true for you, but the holiday season is usually anything but peaceful for me. Between crossing off to-do lists, running from one event to another or driving hours across state lines to see family — the holidays, especially Christmas, can feel exhausting. Perhaps you’re like me, and you try to wring out the joy of every moment, not wanting to miss a second of this brief season and so you run on full-throttle until December 26 and then need to hibernate for a week. Or maybe you’re also like me, where even in those moments of calm, your mind wanders to things that hurt; injustices, relational strife, worry about the state of the world stealing the rest you desperately desire. In short, perhaps Christmas isn’t the most peaceful time of the year for you and if that is you, you’re not alone. 

But our theme this week is peace. And when we think of peace, the world around us tends to focus on international peace or the absence of war. But the Bible’s definition of peace is different. Both the Hebrew word, “shalom” and the Greek, “eirēnē'' indicate a deeper peace than just that of external conflicts. Instead they include a broad vision of human flourishing with an emphasis on God’s saving work through Jesus Christ. Flourishing, not striving. Wholeness, not brokenness. Security, not instability.

I don’t know about you, but I want to experience that kind of peace this Christmas season. I want a season where I am dwelling in God’s fullness and flourishing, not one where I’m rushing around trying to cross-off to dos or ruminating over hurt. And if that’s something you’re interested in as well, I’d like to invite you to do something a little different with me this season. I’d like to invite you to join me in practicing the discipline of silence and solitude. I know for many of us, solitude is a luxury. It’s actually impossible for me right now, I am never physically alone (thanks Baby J for your constant kicking as a reminder).. But stillness and silence are not impossible. Even in the midst of our busy seasons, I believe we can carve out moments of peace. Moments where we dwell with God.

Whether it be driving home from dropping the kids off at school, a quick moment during our lunch break at work, that liminal time between putting the kids to bed and them asking for more water, or anything in between, we can find moments of quiet. Moments to be still and know that Jesus is Lord. Moments to pray a prayer of peace over our lives, over the world, over the situations that hurt. Moments to ponder, like Mary did, the things God has put in our hearts. Let’s make time for silence this Christmas season. Let’s make time for peace to enter our hearts.