December 24th

Christmas Eve

             But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.  Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

2 Peter 3:13-15

            The thing that I love most about Christmas is not the presents.  It is not the food.  It is not the Christmas Lights or the Tree or the church services or the parties.  The thing that I treasure most about Christmas and the Christmas season is peace.  It is a home that is free of conflict.  It is Silent Night.  It is contentment.  The more places that I have to go on Christmas or Christmas Eve, the grumpier I get.  My perfect Christmas Eve is spending time with my wife and children at home, listening to music, reading or playing a game together or putting together a puzzle and enjoying the family that God has given to me.  Those nights are filled with joy and wonder and contentment…in a word, they are filled with peace.

            “Strive to be found by Him at peace.”  While we are waiting for God’s greatest gift, we are to strive for peace.  Not recognition.  Not validation.  Not money.  Not stuff.  Not followers or likes or clicks or mentions.  We are to strive for peace.  We are to work hard and be focused upon the goal of living contented lives among each other.

            Peace at my house is hard to find.  There are big personalities and too much stuff that is filling too little space.  There are conflicting sleep schedules and eating plans.  There are projects that my son obsesses over and will not let go of until they are complete, even if no one else wants to work on them.  We have a ridiculously hard time choosing something that we can all watch and enjoy so we have resorted to “Forced Family Fun.”  My wife and I put together activities that we are to all do together, whether the kids are excited about them or not.  We have spaces where everyone can go to have some quiet and alone time afterwards.  We strive for peace, our hearts long for peace, because peace is nowhere to be found in this world.

            Someday there will be a new world.  Someday there will be a place where peace reigns and righteousness is at home.  A place where it feels right and natural to do what is right in the eyes of God.  A place where laughter and joy are as easy as breathing.  A place where it does not feel so hard to do good.  A place of peace instead of conflict and a place of freedom instead of fear.

            That is the new home that God promises for us.  That is the gift of God that Jesus came to earth to give to us.  Tomorrow is Christmas and all of the fun and joy and wonder and chaos that accompanies it will be here before we know it. 

            Tonight, let us sit in peace.

           

A moment to reflect:

How can you be peaceful and content tonight?