More Christ - Less Chaos

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13-14

I don’t know if you are experiencing the same thing as I am when it comes to Christmas. As I have aged and my family has grown older Christmas has become a quieter, more peaceful celebration. No shopping trips to loud and crowded malls, no stressing over what to buy. I can shop online or get gift cards for just about anything at the local supermarket or Wal-Mart. I can send Christmas greetings via email and FaceBook. We celebrate Christmas by going to church and enjoying a good meal – more Christ, less chaos. So nice not having to face the often chaotic pace of the holiday season. I love the traditional “Christmas” passages from Isaiah and Luke.

I also love the peaceful image of Jesus’ birth announcement – ok not the part that probably freaked out the poor shepherds. I love the part about the shepherds being out in the field, perhaps sitting around a fire to warm themselves in the cool of the night. And what about the image the angel provides when he tells them “This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12) – what is more peaceful, more joyful than a swaddled and sleeping new born? Then a heavenly choir praising God delivered a promise from God of peace for all on whom His favor rests.

Jesus’ life was book-ended by gifts of peace. The heavenly host brought the first gift of peace with the announcement of Messiah’s birth and Jesus himself gave a gift of peace near the end of His life when He told 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). Isaiah speaking of the many titles held by the coming King calls Him the Prince of Peace.

We should of course have a bit of reality here – Jesus did also warn us that life wouldn’t always be quiet and peaceful because we would face real trials as we walk this upon this planet. But with that warning was the gift of peace and the reminder that we need not be afraid – there can be peace even in the midst of the trials, even in the chaos of Christmas if we just make a bit of time, if we just create some space for more Christ then we’ll have less chaos.

A Prayer
Father, what an awesome and scary sight it must have been that night when one of Your angels, accompanied by the heavenly hosts announced the birth of Your Son to the shepherds watching over their flocks. What a message of hope and peace they carried to those considered outcasts. Thank you that before surrendering His life to save ours Jesus gave us another gift of peace. As we draw even nearer to the celebration of His birth may we seek more of Him so we can enjoy more of His peace and then help us to share that peace with those around us – Amen.