Advent Peace when Life is Loud
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
In between the time my children wake up from their afternoon naps and the time I start cooking dinner, we often FaceTime my mom. Though she and my in-laws live far away, these calls shorten the distance between us.
Our FaceTime calls usually look a little something like this - Selah starts running around in circles around the kitchen island singing Let it Go. Micah starts bouncing in his exersaucer which sounds a bit like a jackhammer in the middle of our living room. Selah will want to take the phone to show her Nana a tiny sticker on her floor while Micah cries out in hunger again. One of the kids will give the other “the look” and they both dissolve into fits of giggles.
My mom and I will try to get a word in with each other to catch up, but the moment we try, the cacophony of the Hopkins home swells again and any sense of actual conversation is lost.
In all of our children’s waking hours, our home is LOUD. There are squeals of delight, tantrums, a hungry baby, toys that only have one insanely loud volume, and so much music. It can certainly get overwhelming, but more times than not, it’s a beautiful chaos.
The dictionary definition of peace isn’t often found in our home. The idea that life can be tranquil and free from disturbance doesn’t seem like a reality for us that will come anytime soon.
And yet, in the chaos, in the noise, in the regular toddler karaoke the bursts out unannounced, my heart can be at peace and I can bring that peace into our home.
Because the peace that we are talking about is not bound to circumstances or seasons of life, we can bask in its blessing in every moment. In rereading the story of Jesus’ birth, I noticed something that was a true comfort to my soul. See if it stands out to you:
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14
The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of so many beautiful promises. The shepherds were the chosen audience for the unimaginable announcement of this glorious news. The quiet night sky erupted with a multitude of heavenly hosts. This ordinary night was transformed into something unbelievably extraordinary. The proclamation announced was loud and vibrant and earth-shattering. God had sent peace to the world.
The news of this peace was not delivered quietly. It was delivered with all the fanfare heaven could muster. It disrupted the quiet. It turned life upside down. It could not be contained.
The peace we have with God is so different from the peace we chase on earth. The peace the world offers is found in fleeting moments. The peace God offers lasts an eternity. The peace the world offers can be stolen. The peace God offers is secure. The peace the world offers is something that must be attained, working towards ideal circumstances or situations. The peace God offers is a free gift that he lavishes on his children.
The season of life you are in may not lend itself to many quiet times. It may feel fast and furious and seem surrounded by chaos. But even in those circumstances, the peace we have with God cannot be shaken. It is this peace that the angels sang about LOUDLY. This same peace remains even in our chaos. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts in every moment. Glory be to God.
