For the past four weeks, our students have been telling us a story about a family as it prepares for Christmas. And the overriding theme of this story is Peace. In a few days we will light the last candle in our Advent wreath, the candle of peace. Although we will send and receive many wishes for peace and joy this Christmas season, many might say it’s anything BUT. We are all feeling the stress of decorating not quite done, Christmas cards and greetings still to send (I know I’m still working on mine), presents yet to buy, and any number of holiday parties to squeeze into our already busy schedules. Many of us may be asking, where is this peace?
Peace was also the theme for this month’s Faith Journaling class. I expected to hear many of them come with ideas about peace in relation to war. Instead, they all chose Bible verses that spoke of a different kind of peace—a peace that comes when you experience freedom from stress and worry, guilt and fear. Some chose the words of Isaiah: “Each [person] will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.” OR “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Others chose the words of John: “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.”
In our discussions I asked them to describe moments in their lives when they felt true peace. Their responses reflected two dominant themes—water and candles. They described such moments as walking along the shore at Hamlin Beach, just as the sun was setting, and all was quiet except for the lapping of the waves and a gentle breeze. Others described the overwhelming sense of peace they feel on Christmas Eve when all the lights are turned off and the church is lit solely by candlelight.
I’m reminded of times when I was younger and we would lose our power—in an age before people bought generators. My father would make sure a fire was lit in the fireplace to keep us warm, and our only light was that provided by candles. I remember these moments with great fondness, although I’m sure my mother’s memories of these evenings are a bit different from mine… as she worried over what would happen to all the food in the fridge, how she was going to make dinner or hoping we wouldn’t burn the house down as we ran around with our candles. However, I saw these evenings as gifts—times when we were forced to put all of our distractions aside and be with each other. We couldn’t escape into an evening of television programs, or hide in our rooms reading a good book. Instead, we would gather ‘round the table and play board games, talk, or just sit in silence, watching the flames lick away at a log in the fireplace.
Our world is full of distractions—things that destroy the very peace we so desperately seek. In the past few weeks we’ve listened to stories about letters from Santa asking for safe communities so children may go outside without fear. Our children have told us to lay down our burdens of jealousy, greed, materialism, and distress. And we’ve even heard from John the Baptist and his pleas for REAL change in our lives.
The Bible verse I chose for my Faith Journal comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 4: Verse 6—“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” It is my understanding (and Jim, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), that it’s believed this particular book was written by a King of Israel who had everything, and yet the dominant theme is one of a wasted life—a meaningless life—a life spent chasing after the wrong things—among them wealth, fame and power. We don’t typically spend a lot of time with this book, and yet American novelist Thomas Wolfe is noted as saying it’s the most important piece of writing ever known; it’s “wisdom lasing and profound.” It is full of life lessons, lessons such as what is wealth without family? I selected this verse for my Faith Journal because I believe I spend a great deal of time chasing after the wrong things. In the story about Mary and Martha, where Jesus chastises Martha for not recognizing what is important, I am Martha—and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to beat the “Martha” out of me. Someone has to cook the meal, or we’d all starve, right? I spend time worrying about the wrong things, such as decorating my home so it’s the PERFECT setting for our holiday celebrations, or selecting just the right foods that everyone will rave about, or trying to find just the right gift, or even worse, picking up something just for the sake of giving a gift. In the end, I am trying so hard to achieve the impossibly perfect life, I forget about the entire “reason for the season.”
To take from John the Baptist, isn’t it time for change? Isn’t it time for new beginnings, a new way of living our lives? How wonderful that we celebrate the birth of Christ, the very symbol of new beginnings, promise and hope. God sent his son so that we would have life—a meaningful life, free from fear and worry—a peaceful life. At His feet we may lay down our burdens. And, as we celebrate His last supper today, do not think of it as a solemn moment of sorrow, but rejoice—His death is not the end, it is a new beginning—like the moment of His birth, it is a moment of hope and promise—a promise of freedom from all that troubles us, it IS peace.
I’d like to close now with a poem titled “True Rest,” written by Margie Casteel.
My dear child, I know you're weary
With nothing left to give.
You've worked long and hard
Now you feel frayed and worn.
Come with Me to a quiet place
Away from all the noise and busyness.
Let Me wrap My arms around you,
Enfold you in My love.
Let Me whisper peace to your heart's storm,
Soothe your troubled brow.
Listen to the love song
I composed just for you.
In Me is true contentment.
In Me you will find what you long for.
Come with Me to a quiet place
And receive rest, strength, and peace.
Let us pray (using the words from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”):
And ye beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
Oh rest beside the weary load
And hear the angels sing
AMEN!
(This message was offered in conjunction with and to summarize the presentatations of church youth during worship in the Advent season. Ms. Hillabush-Walker is the chair of the Christian Education Committee.)
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