Christmas Peace

Mark 4:37-41
37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
NIV

Is this the most wonderful time of the year? There’s a song that claims it is! Over the past few days I’ve had the ominous duty of accompanying my wife on some Christmas shopping trips. As I’ve looked around at the employees and fellow customers in these crowded places I’ve noticed there doesn’t seem to be a lot of joy or peace associated with the Christmas season. Apparently, when you are elbow to elbow with others fighting fiercely to spend your last hard earned dollar it is difficult to muster a smile or even some common courtesy. As we melt our plastic cards from extreme over use to get everyone everything they want we tend to lose focus.

I couldn’t help but think of our church leaders and pastors and the added stress they are under during this overly commercialized Christmas season. Not only do these leaders have to deal with the same crowds and the pressure to buy everyone something nice, they have to get the Christmas program ready, decorate the church, plan the dinner or banquet and prepare themselves for the post Christmas counseling sessions for those of us who completely blew the budget. Okay, maybe it’s not as bad as I describe but Christmas can be a time of great turmoil or a season of joy and peace, we get to choose. Just as the disciples faced a storm on the sea we face the storms of life that go with this season. While the mind is saying I hate this season we might need to go down into the stern of the boat and get some rest.

You see I cannot remember what I bought my children two years ago and I bet they can’t either. I don’t remember last years Christmas message and bet the rest of the congregation can’t either. So as the waves begin to break over your boat find yourself a cushion and go to the stern where the peacemaker is! When the disciples awakened Jesus had the same opportunity to panic but instead He quieted the storm so that all could relax. He chose peace!

My advice is get some rest and take one day at a time. If you fail to get everyone everything they will have forgotten by next Christmas and so will you. You see it isn’t great gifts, sermons, or Christmas programs that make this the most wonderful time of the year. It’s remembering why we celebrate Christmas to begin with that brings comfort and joy.