Today as I asked God for help and direction to write about the second gift of Advent- PEACE, I took a few minutes to look back at a post I published on March 10, 2020- One Word is PEACE.

I read back over my words and was struck by how little changed over the course of the year-

Weather patterns brought suffering to many through an uncommon number of hurricanes and wildfires.

Even though I’ve spent more time at home, my to-do list is never complete, making rest a challenge.

Unexpected death and disease have uprooted families, leaving them with broken hearts in places they don’t recognize.

The election is over, but the country remains divided by hyper-partisan politics and strife.

A vaccine is right on the horizon, yet lockdowns and virus cases still bind people in fear and uncertainty. Everyone feels the anxiety of what a new normal will look like post-coronavirus.

Markets are up and then down- businesses and livelihoods marked and lost in ways that make restoration feel doubtful.

It seems PEACE slips further and further out of reach, especially if I add my dad’s dementia- it’s one thing the virus hasn’t slowed; he’s slipping away as days of quarantine lengthen, and if I allow my mind to dwell too long here, I become frantic and angry over this lost time we won’t get back.

What I wrote in March still rings true today- PEACE slips farther and farther out of reach if I continue to look for it in all the wrong places- circumstances, people, things, control, the absence of storm . . .

So as I did in March, I’m reminding myself of truth today- the second gift of Advent is PEACE. Jesus brought peace to this world when He came as the way for world-weary souls to be right with God.

In Jesus there is peace even in difficult circumstances.

His gift to me is peace.

So today, I will open The Gift of Peace by reminding myself of what I know is true-

• He knows the way I take. (Job 23:10)
• God is my help and keeper. (Psalm 121)
• He keeps me in perfect peace as I keep my mind on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)
• He is present, holding my hand through this day and ones to come. (Isaiah 41:10-14)
• He knows what I need, and I can trust Him- He’s got this! (Matthew 6:25-33)
• He has given me love, power, and a sound mind for living life in this world. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• He invites me to pray about everything and to be thankful. (Philippians 4:6-7)

And today I will cultivate The Gift of Peace  with some PREPLANTing for PEACE by following Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4:8-9, and I’ll put my mind on what is-

Pure
Right
Excellent
Praiseworthy
Lovely
Admirable
Noble
True

And the God of PEACE will be with me-

And you . . . because-

The One who has promised is faithful!
(Hebrews 10:23)

Today, will you join me and choose to encounter this uncertain world by trusting and rejoicing in The Gift of Peace we celebrate this Christmas- Jesus!