We sometimes hear the term “non-anxious presence” to describe someone who is able to stay calm in the midst of conflict and anxiety. Peace and joy are essential characteristics of those who inspire and nurture calmness during the storms of life. Peace and joy are Advent themes too, and rightly so! Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, NIV), and the angels proclaimed peace to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV). Jesus promised peace to His disciples: “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 14:27, NIV). Peace is a gift from God for all of us.
The angels announced the birth of Jesus as “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10, NKJV). When the wise men saw the star, they were “overjoyed,” says Matthew 2:10 (NIV). Jesus taught that joy is an essential characteristic of our kingdom life: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, NKJV). While joy and happiness are both positive, happiness is often superficial. It fluctuates with our external circumstances. Joy is deeply rooted in our faith, and transcends the events, people, places, things, and thoughts we may be experiencing at the moment. Joy springs from our relationship with Christ and His unconditional and eternal love for us.
Still, the peace and joy of Christmas can be elusive. The difficulties and challenges of life don’t magically disappear in December. But we can feel His peace and joy even in difficult times. Our family experienced this a few years ago, leading to a Christmas Eve we will always remember. This story is connected with the loss of a loved one, so if you are coping with sorrow this Christmas season, please be prepared that this story could be a grief trigger.
My wife, Laurie, was in the last stages of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She was totally confined to her bed. She slept most of the time and had lost the ability to speak. But on Christmas Eve night of 2019, my daughter, Carrie Beth, and I decided to have a worship time with Laurie. We sat on the edge of her bed and read the Christmas story from Luke 2. We lit three votive candles and placed one in Laurie’s hands. I said, “Let’s sing some carols.” My daughter and I began to sing Joy to the World. Laurie, whose singing voice had been lovely, surprised us by immediately joining in. Her singing was clear and true, and she didn’t miss a word of the carol. We transitioned to O Come, All Ye Faithful. Laurie continued to sing every word. We marveled at the clarity and accuracy of her voice as the candlelight shone on her face. We ended our caroling with Silent Night, Holy Night. We were overjoyed to connect with Laurie through these carols. An extraordinarily meaningful anthem, When Memory Fades arranged by Eric Nelson, captures the grace and mercy that we can experience in the midst of this devastating disease.
This Christmas Eve will be our fifth without Laurie. I have since married Tammie, a lovely retired middle-school band director. Still, every Christmas Eve night, our family lights those same three votive candles and we sing those three carols. Silent Night, Holy Night is especially meaningful as I remember Laurie’s clear voice on that night, and also because of the fascinating story of those who created the carol.
On Christmas Eve, 1818, Pastor Joseph Mohr took a poem he had written two years earlier and went to visit his good friend Franz Gruber. Mohr asked Gruber, a music teacher and organist, if he would compose a melody with guitar accompaniment for his poem. Within a few hours, the carol Silent Night, Holy Night was created and then performed during the Christmas Eve service at Saint Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria.
Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber both lived Christ-centered lives. Mohr has been described as “a reliable friend of mankind.” During his life, he gave away most of his money to help the poor and to provide educational opportunities for children. Gruber was the son of a poor linen weaver. Though his family discouraged his love of music, he studied violin and organ and became a lifelong church musician.
Silent Night, Holy Night was written when Europe was still recovering from a time of war. Mohr and Gruber wanted their carol to encourage suffering people. Their carol would eventually be translated into many languages and bring the peace and joy of Christ to people around the world. Love’s Pure Light by Elaine Hagenberg is a reflective, impressionistic setting of this favorite carol.
May the peace that passes all understanding bring comfort, hope, and strength to you and your loved ones this Christmas.
Beautiful reading ?