It gets to me every single time. It’s Christmas Eve. Everyone in the packed sanctuary has a candle. For the last hour our ministry team has been running around doing all manner of music-related things so that everyone has a warm, meaningful, worshipful evening. One of those assignments includes lighting the candles of the congregants. As I finally make my way back to the front holding the dripping remnant of what is left of my candle, I realize everyone is singing, and that perhaps I should join them. But I can’t – there is an odd catch in my throat and a little something in my eye. “Silent night, holy night” – the words of that most familiar carol envelope me and I am transported to His presence – the reason we are gathered here, the thing I have needed all season. It’s not just the nostalgia of the moment. It’s something far more precious. Peace: it’s been there all along, I just needed to lean into it. “Sleep in heavenly peace.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, goodwill among people!”
—Luke 2:13–14
Peace: where do you find it? What exactly does peace look like? We have all heard iconic stories of peace – of ceasefires in unlikely settings among enemies; of Jesus soundly sleeping in the boat in a stormy sea that with a word he would instantly calm; of hospital waiting rooms filled with praying family members knowing the worst, yet praying for the best. Peace seems to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:7
Have you ever experienced such peace? The inexplicable covering of peace like a warm blanket fresh from the dryer? Maybe it’s a supernatural strength that keeps you moving forward step by step despite anxiety-laden minefields all around you. Perhaps even in this busy season, it’s as simple as an overwhelming calm in completing myriad tasks – and somehow seeing the joy of it all.
Many years ago, my husband and I were in the throes of a particularly busy Advent and Christmas season – he was a music professor and part-time music minister; I was an elementary school music teacher. We were going full speed in all directions! We were racing our way toward the manger, hoping to enjoy some “peace” after Christmas.
One visit to the doctor brought everything to a sudden halt. There were tests to be done to rule out a life-altering condition, and the results of those tests would not be available until after the holidays. How does one find peace in such a situation? We prayed together and made a pact that we would do our best to set our fears aside and focus on the season at hand. We told no one about this – we left it in God’s hands.
In many ways, that was the most meaningful Christmas of our adult lives. We took greater notice of everything – the joy of our children, the laughter of family, the enthusiasm of our ensembles as they presented the beautiful music we had prepared for months. Through it all, there was an ever-present sense of peace hovering over us. I believe that affected the way we would observe Christmas every subsequent year. We learned firsthand that our peace is not dependent on circumstances. Indeed, Jesus was, is, and always will be our peace:
For He is our peace.
—Ephesians 2:14-15
And He will be our peace.
—Micah 5:2-5
Oh, and those test results? They were just fine.
Peace sometimes catches us off guard. I think of those moments when God has gotten my attention in breathtaking moments – sunsets and sunrises, glorious music, fine works of art – when the only appropriate response is a silent “wow!” These unexpected wonders are truly bliss, but is it possible to intentionally cultivate peace in our daily lives? Advent is a time set apart for doing just that – not just for one week, but as a reminder to seek peace daily. Peace-seeking is not only a way of life, it is a God-given directive:
Seek peace and pursue it. —Psalm 34:11–14
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. —Romans 14:17–19
Peace is not just one isolated word in the observance of Advent – it is an action to embrace. We hope despite the hopelessness all around; we embrace peace despite the dearth of peace in the world; we surrender to joy despite circumstances; we express love in unlovely times. It’s so much more than wishing for these things, we actively “do” hope, peace, joy and love. It is part of the interwoven circle of hope, peace, joy and love that has the same unifying purpose – to center our focus on the coming of Christ. Without hope, there is no peace – without Christ, there is no peace. If we aren’t careful to hold onto peace, we may declare like Longfellow that peace simply does not exist:
“And in despair I bowed my head;
There is no peace on earth, I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, from Christmas Bells
I am a person who appears perfectly calm on the outside, but let me set one foot in any doctor’s office and my blood pressure shoots heavenward! There is a medical diagnosis for this called White Coat Syndrome. As a result, I have doctor’s orders to keep a daily record of my blood pressure at home. Listen to these directions I was given by my physician: “Sit still and remain silent for five to ten minutes.” – Isn’t that a prescription for peace? It’s how I start every day!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… —Colossians 3:15
It really comes down to this critical truth: Jesus, God with us, is our peace. We all know this, yet we sometimes fail to remember it in the busyness of life. Time is the foe of peace seekers. Musicians often fall into the trap of putting obligations and responsibilities above self-care and wholeness – spiritual, emotional, relational, and more. I confess I am often chief among sinners in this area!
I sat down recently to work on a writing project and was immediately bombarded by a stream of emails, texts and instant messages in rapid-fire succession. Then the dog had to go out, company was coming in two days – and I still had 12 songs to memorize before Christmas. Peace? What is that? At such a time, I find it helpful to practice some deep breathing, go for a brisk walk, turn off all notifications and disconnect – yes, turn off the Wi-Fi! Then I can pick up my Bible to search for God’s message of peace without interruption.
Have you experienced the kind of peace that takes priority over everything… like when you’re holding babies and don’t want to move lest you wake them? Or a cat curls up in your lap, so you are obviously glued to your chair for the duration of the nap? Or you sit down in your favorite chair to read for just a moment before returning to the to-do list – and wake up from the most delightful sleep half an hour later? Or you sit down at the piano to chip away at the all-too-urgent practice list and suddenly find yourself indulging in longtime favorites? Rather than distractions, perhaps these are in fact timely gifts of peace. Peace is a gift God gives us – even when we don’t know we need it.
As you lead and encourage those in your ministry to celebrate the Prince of Peace this season, I pray that you will take time to dwell in the stillness and warmth and power of that peace. May you experience Advent and Christmas in a fresh way: seeing it as a gift to enjoy, not a season to endure.
A most peaceful time in our house is in the afterglow of Christmas. The tree and decor remain well into January. And on those cold, easy mornings, I sip coffee and read, or journal, or just sit in the warm glow of tree, candle, and fire lights. It is a sacred time to absorb the gift of peace – not in the storm but in the silence. I will treasure that feeling and hold on to it long into the new year when the ordinary sweeps in and I recall the message of Longfellow once again:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
