'Tis the season for "peace on earth, goodwill toward men." A green wreath graces my front door, and the sweet smell of cookies fills my home, even this early in December. My kids have located the station that plays continuous Christmas music, so there are carols streaming from our radio in the background. I love the warmth and joy the holiday season brings. It feels peaceful and comforting, like a favorite blanket.
One sunny day last week, I stepped out of my cheery home to go pick up my kids at school. Almost instantly, the illusion of peace crumbled before my eyes. My neighbor was in the driveway, distraught. Two of our neighbors were sick, she said, one with cancer. Another young mother had just kicked her drunken husband out of the house the night before. And a third set of neighbors (I am not making this up) split and were moving out within days.
Stunned, I drove to school to get my children. As I pulled in, I noticed the school flag flying at half staff - again. I quickly checked the news on my phone. Fourteen people had been killed in San Bernardino, with 17 more injured, in a terrorist attack.
It's hard to stay in the Spirit when people close to you are so dispirited. It's hard to maintain peace when the world around you is coming to a slow boil.
I felt the Lord nudge me to dig a little deeper into His perspective on peace, as found in the Bible. While it didn't seem like the traditional "advent devotional," it certainly seemed relevant in the midst of all that was happening. Here's what He showed me.
Continue Reading: Jesus, the Prince of Peace
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