Christmas Peace

Late last year, my wife and I sat in front of our Christmas tree. The lights in the house and the television were turned off. There was no music. We just sat and stared at the tree. It was still a few days before Christmas. My wife had to get up early the next day so she decided to call it a night. I told her that I would turn off the outdoor lights and be up in a few minutes.

I sat in front of the tree for another hour. It felt like five minutes.

I looked at the glistening lights and tried to take everything in. I felt a deep gratitude and peace. Oh, I was happy about all the wrapped presents under the tree, but it was more than dollars and cents. I was happy to know that I would see my family the next day.

I felt blessed. I felt grateful. I felt content. There’s no better feeling in the world.

Christians celebrate the second week of Advent this coming Sunday by lighting the second candle on the Advent wreath. The focus is on preparing one’s heart for Christ’s coming by finding peace in a turbulent world, seeking God’s presence, and embodying a spirit of reconciliation. The theme is about finding internal peace and peace with God, and embodying that peace by spreading it to others

Here’s to peace in our lives.

Peace is a beautiful thing:

–“Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day.” —Helen Steiner Rice

–“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” —Calvin Coolidge

–“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good-will to men!” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

–“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” —Norman Vincent Peale

–“Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.” —William Hazlitt

–“Making one person smile can change the world – maybe not the whole world, but their world.”
—Proverbs 16:24

–“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” —Agnes M. Pahro

–“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” —Ram Dass

–“Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you are, something you do and something you give away. ” —Robert Fulghum

–“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” —Saint Francis de Sales

–“You are never alone—God goes before you, walks beside you, and lives within you.”
—Deuteronomy 31:8 

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46 thoughts on “Christmas Peace”

  2. I just started back to church after a long absence. My first Sunday was the week of Thanksgiving and second was the first Sunday of Advent.
    Both sermons were thought provoking but in the second, the priest described the end of the liturgical year was the prior week and this is the new year as we await the birth. Or the re-birth which happens every year and I felt it so much.
    On topic, they lit the first candle for Advent and it brought me back to my family’s simple black metal ring with 4 candles. My father reading the first Sunday, the following one of us three girls, the third week, my mother, and the final week one of us again.
    I have been a long time to the point of going to church and embracing my faith.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Oh wow Nancy that’s a beautiful memory. I understand exactly what you mean. I struggle with faith, but I find that God keeps pulling me back. It could be an old memory of something a Sunday school teacher taught me long ago. It could be a verse that I come across. Or a smile when I’m down. Anyway thanks for sharing. Here’s hoping we both have the peace of the season and all year long!!!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you Brian. My dear friend said the same to me earlier this year when I told her scriptures or Christian songs made me so emotional. “Maybe it’s God pulling you back.”

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I went back to religion after a long absence too and what it triggered it was a visit to a church and sense of peace I found sitting in there that I had not experience in ages anywhere else. 😊

      Liked by 4 people

  3. i love this, brian. even as a young person, i used to sit in the dark, with the lights on the tree shining, just looking at it and thinking and feeling happy and grateful

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I bought our Christmas tree across the street – in New York they are stacked on the sidewalk to buy and carry home…this weekend we will begin to decorate it…and then we will sit and enjoy the serenity it brings…something that is missing in our world today…thanks for sharing this reminder that peace is something we should strive for and not give in to all of the hatred, yelling and screaming of the day…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. One of my fondest memories is when my wife and I lived in DC and bought our christmas tree from a street vendor. It was the best. Kind of cold like it is right now. We didn’t have a ton of money but we decorated it with paper and popcorn garland and old star we had gotten from somewhere. It was a great christmas. Thanks for the reminder John!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s my favorite part of the season. We tend to put up our christmas tree early for that reason. We just have lights on it. We won’t decorate wtih ornaments until the week of Christmas, but I still love looking at the tree and just taking everything in. Thanks Darlene for “getting it.”

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Brian, I also love sitting quietly and gazing upon the Christmas tree, reflecting upon the meaning of the season. The fact there are so many of us still focused on what these days are designed to be celebrating always gives me hope for a better day, a better life, and a better world for everyone.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. This is such a warm and heartfelt post, Brian and I love where you put your attention. There is so much depth in your words and the reason we celebrate the moments that hold these kinds of special memories! xo❣️

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I appreciated your post so much today. My big stressor of course is my dad. I’ll be out there to see him, list his house, etc next week. He decided on his own yesterday that he wants to be in assisted living and picked out his apartment! Whew! He was fighting it. His January birthday has him at 94!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Beautiful, Brian. I feel the peace just reading this so you are doing your part to spread peace!

    “–“Peace is not something you wish for, it is something you make, something you are, something you do and something you give away. ” —Robert Fulghum” So good!!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I will have to try what you and your wife enjoyed, Brian. It sounded so peaceful and soothing sitting and reflection in front of your tree! 💕🎄

    Liked by 1 person

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