Where's the Peace?

Christmas is supposed to be the season of peace on earth, but if we’re honest, it often feels more like chaos on earth.
 
Some of you finished your Christmas shopping in October. Others, like me, plan to knock it all out next week on Amazon. But believe it or not, there are still people who enjoy doing all their shopping in-store. They are built different, they are built for war. Shopping in stores this time a year is a bit like going to battle.
 
Then there’s the December calendar. So. Many. Things. School parties. Office parties. Neighborhood parties. Add in present-buying, present-wrapping, decorating, shipping (why does the post office feel like purgatory?), plus flights, road trips, and events… it’s enough to drive anyone crazy.
 
For some, Christmas is magical, but for others, it’s heavy. Maybe this is your first Christmas without someone you love. Maybe your situation isn’t quite that heavy, but life still feels “off,” and you wish this Christmas looked a little different.
 
Christmas can also be expensive. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of maxing out a credit card in the hopes of creating a magical holiday… only to realize you’ll be paying for that magic until April.
 
And of course we have the family gatherings. They’re supposed to be merry… yet somehow your family makes the Kardashians look functional.
 
Christmas is supposed to be about peace… so where is it?
 
If you’re finding peace hard to come by this season, Luke’s Gospel has good news. On a quiet night outside Bethlehem, a group of exhausted shepherds were suddenly interrupted by an army of angels, and what they said changed everything: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”
 
Even during the holiday chaos, there is peace available. I look forward to telling you all about it tomorrow. Join us for worship tomorrow at 10 AM.
 
Plus, make sure you show up on time so you don’t miss the Arbor Kids’ Christmas Pageant! It’s going to be hilarious and adorable. It’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!