Jesus is the Peace of the Season
As Thanksgiving approaches and we begin navigating the holiday season, we look forward to the smells, sights, and fellowship of upcoming festivities. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, after all! But I think it’s important to also acknowledge that most of us don’t experience total bliss when dealing with the holidays. Often this time of year brings as much stress as it does joy and as much sadness as it does happiness, depending on our circumstances.
Honestly, the holidays make me feel a little blue. My life doesn’t look like I thought it would, so the holidays don’t look like I thought they would. I don’t have the storybook gatherings to go to or the big celebrations to enjoy. What I do have I cherish, but there is a lot of empty space, and sadness creeps up on me in unexpected moments. From experience I can tell you with certainty that finding and retaining the peace of Christ in the holidays is essential to my wellbeing.
Not only is “Jesus the Reason for the Season,” as the rhyme goes; He’s also the Peace of the Season. When we look to Scripture, we see this thread of peace woven throughout. Ephesians 2:14 says that “He Himself is our peace…” He made peace between God and us through His sacrifice, and He invites us to share this good news – this Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15) – with others. So, when we share that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” we are sharing with others the peace we have, which can increase both our peace and theirs. This lends a lot of credibility to what is usually thought of as a cliché rhyme, doesn’t it?!
We can’t look to holiday traditions or commercial norms for this peace. It only comes through Christ. John 14:27 says He doesn’t give superficial or temporary peace to us as the world gives it; He gives us a lasting peace. This internal steadiness, this knowing, this contentment; it is the peace that guides and sustains us throughout the holidays and beyond.
May you experience abundant peace in Christ this holiday season, friends, and may this peace overflow to all those around you.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Do you agree that it's easy to lose the real reason for the season in all the commercial demands of the holidays? If so, how do you remind yourself that Jesus is the Reason for the Season?
2. Do you ever feel a little blue during the holidays like I do? If so, what is one practical step you can take to stay anchored in the Peace of Christ during the holiday season?
3. How can you share the Gospel of Peace this holiday season? Are there events and activities on your calendar that can be opportunities to share the good news?
