Lord, Please Be My Prince of Peace This Christmas

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Our Christmas tree’s been up since Thanksgiving, lit with strings of lights. But only lights. In the midst of unexpected struggle again this Christmastime, we just haven’t had time to adorn the tree with ornaments.

For my family right now, it’s been all we can do to face the pressures of the holiday and our own self-imposed expectations. Where I am this year physically, mentally, and emotionally, I simply cannot keep up with the demands that knock on my door.

What should be a special time of the year has turned sideways, and I’m in desperate need of peace.

But now, nine days before Christmas, I pull up the ornament boxes from the basement and put on a classic Christmas playlist, and my husband and I unwrap the shiny globes, airplanes, and sparkling sleds to place them around the tree. This is a victory. We savor the moment.

Do we need to keep up with the frantic pace of presents, decorations, cookie baking, and parties? Is that what really matters?

God knows when we’re tired. He knows what it takes to go through one more day. He sees. He sustains.

Immanuel, God with us, offers Himself. Do we slow down enough to experience Him? To see the baby Jesus lying in a manger, the weary young mother, the inexperienced father? To see the joy that came to the lowly, the star that shone to share the news?

Behold Jesus taking His first breaths. Rejoice and take heart. The King of the world is here.

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So honored to be over at Proverbs 31 talking about a slow Christmas. Will you join me there?