Christmastime Peace

December is usually a hectic, chaotic, rush-rush month, with presents to buy and wrap, gatherings to arrange and be at, Christmas services, weddings and so on. The start of the month was like that for me but things have surprisingly settled down. There's a calmness and peace about my weeks right now. Yes, I'm preparing for beach mission and cooking for the team. Yes, there's a CRE Christmas service to prepare and run. But I find I have time for reflection and reading, for catching up with friends, for decorating the house in celebration of our Lord Jesus' birth.

Today I read this from the True Woman blog:

"My favorite Christmas word is Immanuel. That word tells us that Jesus is not only out there at God's right hand, interceding for us, out there preparing a future home for us—He is here now, living with us.

• When you get up in the morning, God is with you! 
• When you go to work, God is with you! 
• When you talk on the phone, or email, or take a walk, God is with you! 
• When you are frightened and anxious, God is with you! 
• When your needs exceed your income, God is with you! 
• When you are alone, or tired, or teary, God is with you! 
• When your health is failing, God is with you! 
• In times of pain and in times of joy, God is with you! 

As you read this right now, God is with you!"

How encouraging is that! The God of this world, Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, is with us! We are never alone!

May you find time to meditate on God and accept the peace that He gives to you. What greater gift than Jesus Christ, born as a man, to live as one of us but perfect, so that he could die in our place and take away our punishment for ignoring and rebelling against God.

Remember that Gift this busy season, that because of Jesus you are not alone, God is with you.