Peace on earth Goodwill towards men

 My mom brought me a beautiful holiday floral bouquet with a chorus of “we wish you a merry Christmas” and I nearly burst into tears. I already know I will not have a merry Christmas. (So does she, but if you know my mother, you know she is rarely found without a song in her heart and on her lips.) 

My house is silent and unadorned- I am not walking through Advent season as I have in years past - solemnly with prayer and fasting - or joyfully with praise and singing. December 25 is a date on the calendar to move past as I wait expectantly for my own child to come. 

And then I thought about that...how this season - like Mary - I am awaiting a child that will bring with it comfort and great joy.  My own advent season began on January 8 and will continue well past Christmas Day. And yet - I thought about how Jesus was Mary’s promised son - but He is our promised savior. I realized how Mary was waiting for one thing - but like all of Christendom - she was also waiting for Immanuel. God with us. 

God being with us - with me - is the only thing that has brought us through this year. And then suddenly a different song was on my heart - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. 

My favorite hymn by far, these words caught in my throat:

“And in despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men.” 

That’s me - right now - today. But that isn’t the end of the song - or the story for that matter. It continues:

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep - God is not dead nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail and right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to men.” 

I’m not going to be decking any halls with holly - but the truth of Advent is that we are reenacting what has already occurred. Jesus already gives us peace. Not of this world, but His own. The peace He shares with the Father, he gives to us while we walk this broken land. (Need a little extra encouragement? Check out John 17)

Christmas Day, like every other day that should be a celebration this year, will be hard. But the peace He brings will help get me through until I can celebrate with Bunny - Christmas in March (or January) is closer to Jesus’ actual birthday anyway....