Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

The Peace of Christmas

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For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 CSB

What is peace?

Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary defines it this way:

1. a state of tranquillity or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance
2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3. harmony in personal relations

So, then, can’t we say that peace is the absence of conflict?

Is there conflict in your life, your circumstances or your heart that you could release to the Prince of Peace this Christmas? Can you yield your thoughts, emotions and personal relationships to the will of Jesus this season – or longer?

I think for me (and maybe you, too?) it’s a matter of willingness.

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, hugging them as he carries the leading the nursing ewes to good pasture. Isaiah 40:11 MSG

Are you willing to let Jesus care for you? Are you willing to let Him gather you in His arms, hug and comfort you? Are you willing to be carried, and led?

If so, the good pastures where He leads will be peaceful.

Grace be with you,

Hope for Christmas

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What do you hope for this Christmas season?

Oh, I’m not talking about the gifts you hope to have under the tree.

What does your heart long for this season?

For me, this year (and every year it seems) I hope for a slower pace. The busyness of the season always seems to do me in. It’s the first week in December, and already I’m rush, rush, rushing around with a to do list a mile long. There is no extra time, and the weekends are booking up fast. There are a lot of fun things on the calendar, times for fellowship with others. But I find that I don’t leave enough margin in my schedule to slow down. To ponder the miracle of Christ’s birth; the babe in the manger; Immanuel – God with us. I long to be filled with childlike awe and wonder.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 ESV

I want to treasure the truth of Christ this year, pondering in my heart who He is. I was to see Jesus with the eyes of a child, beholding Him for the first time.

Instead of a list of things to do, hear the invitation to BEHOLD what he has done.
Christi Gee. Behold: A Christmas Advent Journey (p. 3). Kindle Edition.

Each and every day, this season and always, I want to behold Jesus, remembering all that He has done, and will continue to do, as I place my hope in Him.

How about you? What is your hope this Christmas?