Last week a friend from Bible study shared a story I’ve been pondering ever since. She was on a walk with her close friend who is Jewish. As they were talking about the stress and busyness of the holiday season, her friend made an unsettling observation: “It seems like all of my Christian friends are so stressed in the weeks leading up to Christmas.” Being Jewish, she seemed relieved she didn’t have to participate in all the activities surrounding the celebration of Christ’s birth. The joy and peace we sing about in carols wasn’t evident among the believers she knew. Instead, she saw endless to-do lists and overwhelming obligations.
We could blame this on a lot of things in our culture—commercialism, materialism, capitalism or even the paganizing of a once holy holiday. And while these things might be partly to blame, the truth is that all of us have the tendency to float with the current of our culture if we don’t intentionally swim against it, even when we’re celebrating the birth of our Savior.
We would be wise to listen more carefully to messages in the music of the season. Handel’s Messiah, for example, is taken straight from Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah. It tells us about the coming of our Savior, Jesus. Take a look at this portion:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV)
That last name for Jesus, Prince of Peace, holds the key to moving from a chaotic Christmas season to a peaceful one. Studying a few passages, I discovered a recipe for peace laid out in Scripture and thought I’d share a few essential ingredients:
Disciplining Our Focus: Peace doesn’t happen automatically. One of my favorite verses says: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). To be steadfast means to be resolute, committed, firm, and unwavering. We find peace when we fix our minds on God’s trustworthiness, knowing that He is good and faithful. A quick scan of my concordance revealed three different passages where we are urged “to seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14b, 2 Tim 2:22, 1 Peter 3:11). To seek and pursue something requires discipline and ongoing effort. We must relentlessly eliminate distractions of lesser things that cloud our thinking and lead us toward stress and anxiety. Reading the Bible and praying daily helps us focus on the truth we need to remain peaceful throughout the day.
Following God’s Ways: The Christmas story recorded in Luke’s gospel includes angels rejoicing over the birth of Jesus singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV) Psalm 119 helps us to understand that God’s favor rests on people who follow His ways: “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NIV). Although it often means moving in the opposite direction of our culture, living God’s way leads to the peace we all crave.
Relying on the Holy Spirit: We aren’t going to find peace by trying harder. We’re not going to experience it by pretending to be calm when we’re freaking out on the inside. The only way to find true peace is with God’s help. Jesus explained this to His disciples, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:26-7, NIV)
The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s truth through Scripture. We engage Him by asking for His help and letting Him show us how to apply it to our daily lives. The peace He gives isn’t based on circumstances going the way we want—that’s worldly peace. His peace goes so much deeper and encompasses so much more.
Leaning into God changes our thoughts, which changes our lives: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV)
If you’re struggling with stress and anxiety, here’s my prayer for you: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV)
Handel’s Messiah that I mentioned earlier includes 53 movements divided in three parts. It usually takes 2 ½- 3 hours to perform. I remember sitting through it at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco a few times as a fidgety child. (I liked getting dressed up and going to the city but my parents failed to mention how long the performance would last!) Below are two different portions. The first video includes the lyrics that call Jesus Prince of Peace.
This second video includes the part I always liked best, the Hallelujah Chorus. It shows the power of letting God’s peace invade your Christmas busyness. If you’re like me, it may bring a few tears to your eyes (in a good way). Enjoy!