Peace.  It is the gift that most of us desire but don’t always think to ask for.  As we watch the news and surf the Internet, it doesn’t seem like there is a lot of peace in our world.  Even in our lives with the daily hustle and bustle, especially around the Christmas holiday, it is easy for peace to elude us.  Our family has started a tradition this year of lighting the Advent candles at home, and it has really been a special time to reflect on what they represent.  We started with the candle of Hope, then Love, then Joy and finally this week we lit the candle of Peace.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I know he came and brought with him all of these things but for some reason it is peace that most resonates with me today.  Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be our Prince of Peace.  Even as nation rises against nation and communities live at odds with each other, we have peace because we have Jesus…“he himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).  He came to give us peace with God and to bring peace among all who follow Him.  2009 has been a whirlwind year and we don’t know what 2010 will bring, but we walk confidently into the New Year with peace because we walk with Jesus.

We wish everyone a hopeful and joyful Christmas this year and pray that you would be filled with peace in the New Year!