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Nov 30, 2021 08:00am

So Where’s the Peace?

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You know, there’s always been a Christmas song that I never really got. Sure, I understand the meaning through the lyrics, but thinking about the song in the context of the Nativity makes it seem silly. Hear me out:

Imagine you’re Mary.

Not only have you traveled a long, long distance—but you did so very pregnant and simply to take part in a census.

Then you get into town and you can’t find a room—not even a bad one—so you stay in a stable full of hay and animals.

Then it happens—baby time. Conditions are . . . less than ideal, but everything goes well. Little baby Jesus has arrived, and you can finally rest from labor. You close your eyes and begin to drift off.

Then . . .

A little drummer boy shows up and begins to play for you…

Pa rum pum pum-pum

Rum pum pum-pum

Not exactly what you want the night after giving birth, right? So much for a silent night. (Technically, the Wise Men are thought to not have arrived to give gifts on the night of Jesus’ birth even though all our Nativity sets include them—so, this scenario wouldn’t have played out as the lyrics suggest.)

Regardless of the song’s inconsistency, at Christmastime we hear all about peace on earth. Doesn’t that sound nice?

The last two years haven’t given us world peace, national peace, or even peace on our Facebook feeds. They have made us weary, worried, and wishing a little drummer boy was all that filled our concerns.

There’s a lot you might be worried about right now:

a business,

an illness,

political uncertainty,

loss,

COVID,

and a multitude of other things.

Here’s the thing: The peace that God offers us isn’t a guarantee that things will go our way but a promise that God is in control of all things.

That’s how Paul can say that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

I don’t understand it, you don’t understand it—Paul didn’t even understand it, but God offers us peace as we eagerly await His return!

Accept this free gift of salvation and receive the life-altering grace and peace that only Jesus can give.