Peace on Earth - Emmanuel
I had a bad day yesterday.
They don't happen very often, but yesterday was one of those days where I felt like Alexander in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I won't bore you with specific, play-by-play details, but I will tell you my not-so-good day involved a half-filled froggy potty of pee spilled on the bathroom floor; a screaming not-napping baby on a portion of our walk; a whining toddler who wanted to get out of the stroller and walk; a grocery store trip with a forgotten list; ramming my hip into a sharp corner of a shelf causing the tied-for-second-most intense pain I've ever experienced next to childbirth; and other minor inconveniences, that because everything snowballed, became major inconveniences.
And it was only three days before Christmas. A time when - picturesquely - I should be joyful, building that gingerbread train with my little boy, baking goodies for our neighbors, playing Christmas music without getting annoyed by it, enjoying these wondrous days.
Then, I started thinking more about peace. That peace proclaimed that first Christmas night, the peace we sing about in carols, the peace we read about in the Word and long to experience for ourselves. I kept hearing over and over the words to one of my favorite Christmas hymns,
At a time when we hear "peace" so often proclaimed, our hearts can feel far from a place of peace. But Jesus was not born to take away all our pain, all our sorrow, all our trouble, all of our bad days.
Yet the peace that He gives us is much more than temporal and earthly. It is eternal.
And because of that, we can rejoice.
They don't happen very often, but yesterday was one of those days where I felt like Alexander in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I won't bore you with specific, play-by-play details, but I will tell you my not-so-good day involved a half-filled froggy potty of pee spilled on the bathroom floor; a screaming not-napping baby on a portion of our walk; a whining toddler who wanted to get out of the stroller and walk; a grocery store trip with a forgotten list; ramming my hip into a sharp corner of a shelf causing the tied-for-second-most intense pain I've ever experienced next to childbirth; and other minor inconveniences, that because everything snowballed, became major inconveniences.
And it was only three days before Christmas. A time when - picturesquely - I should be joyful, building that gingerbread train with my little boy, baking goodies for our neighbors, playing Christmas music without getting annoyed by it, enjoying these wondrous days.
Instead, I was mad. And the joy and peace and wonderful simplicity of Christmas was far from my mind.
Then, I started thinking more about peace. That peace proclaimed that first Christmas night, the peace we sing about in carols, the peace we read about in the Word and long to experience for ourselves. I kept hearing over and over the words to one of my favorite Christmas hymns,
Hark! the herald angel sings,And then I remembered more about this peace. I remembered the prophecies about this One who would be called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). About this little baby born in a little, lowly town named Bethlehem who "will be our peace" (Micah 5:5). That this peace that He brings is more than just a calming on my heart and doing away of my trouble and pain -- that His peace means reconciliation. His peace means no more enmity between me because of ugly sin and the perfect, holy God. His peace sets me in right standing before the LORD and gives me hope.
Glory to a newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angel sings,
Glory to the newborn King!
"But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace..." Ephesians 2:13-14Bad days happen around Christmas. Garage doors break. Influenza strikes. Toddlers still have moments when they are as emotional as menstruating women. Death visits. Bills still have to be paid. Weather causes travel plans to change.
At a time when we hear "peace" so often proclaimed, our hearts can feel far from a place of peace. But Jesus was not born to take away all our pain, all our sorrow, all our trouble, all of our bad days.
Yet the peace that He gives us is much more than temporal and earthly. It is eternal.
And because of that, we can rejoice.
I loved this! Thanks for being real and sharing what many of us are going through these days before Christmas. Love your blog!!
ReplyDeletePraise God! Thanks for the encouragement, Jen!
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