2nd Sunday of Advent . . .

Anticipating God’s Gift of Peace

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” . . . Isaiah 52:7

Anticipating God’s gift of Peace through the Kaleidoscope . . .

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or [to be] the mirror that reflects it.” (Edith Wharton) In this season, and in our hearts, Christ is the candle, its light radiating with His love . . . and we are the mirror, reflecting that light out into the world . . . the Light of Christ reflecting from our hearts and souls to the hearts and souls of others.

Return to the kaleidoscope today . . . looking into this tube of mirrors . . . it is difficult for the light to shine through a hidden, buried, or veiled lens . . . just as it is difficult for the Light of Christ to shine through our brokenness, to change
it into beauty, if we are so buried beneath the darkness of worry, stress, and busy-ness. (*remember there is a link
below of the movement of a different kaleidoscope)

The kaleidoscope creates its beautiful images by reflecting light. Light travels in a straight line, but when it bumps
into something it changes direction. If light bumps into something shiny, like the surface of a mirror, it reflects back
in the direction it came from. When you point the kaleidoscope toward light, the light enters the kaleidoscope and reflects back and forth, like a bouncing ball, between the shiny surfaces inside the kaleidoscope.

When you focus and point yourself toward Christ’s Light, His Light enters your heart and soul and reflects back
and forth . . . and then outward to those watching and waiting for you. Since the end of the kaleidoscope is filled
with broken, colorful pieces, the light bounces off those too and makes the interesting patterns of color. Our life is
filled with broken, colorful pieces that, when filled with Christ’s Light, becomes unique and interesting patterns of
living . . . and pleasing because of Christ.

Make peace with your broken pieces . . . realize and accept yourself for who you are . . . accept that those slivers
and chunks of brokenness, just like the kaleidoscope, which, when illuminated by the right light, construct a person beautiful on the inside and out.

Find peace in the coming of Christ through the images of the kaleidoscope . . . a visual testament of Christ’s
pure light blending our brokenness into beauty.

"Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ,
the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love" . . . 2 John 1:3

Thoughts for today & tomorrow . . .

Silent night, holy night . . . sounds wonderful, but it can be very hard to find even a silent moment this time of year,
let alone a whole silent night . . . yet every one of us needs the calming peace that silence brings, especially at
the end of a crazy day.

Peace . . . a condition of tranquility, serenity, calmness, or quiet . . . stillness and silence.

The feelings of urgency, chaos, confusion, disarray, turmoil, madness are no where to be found in the understanding of peace. So, what does it mean to find peace in chaos? . . . well, it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work . . . it means to be in the midst of these things, and still be calm within your heart . . . still be calm within your heart . . . that is what you are striving for.

Will you ever reach this ideal perfection of peace? . . . no . . . but that is okay, as long as you are making an effort to find it . . . trying to make of time for quiet time with God too . . . just don’t give up . . . God will help.

     What is behind your most chaotic moments during the holidays?

               Are you lost in the “noise,” struggling to focus and center on what    
                    should be priorities, finding it difficult to fit all the puzzle pieces of
                         your life together into any controllable semblance of order? 

Christ is the source of quiet, calm, tranquility, and harmony in your world. It may not always be exactly the way you want things to happen, but with trust in God and focusing on His Son, you can allow the “noise” around you to fade into the
background. Let your heart warm and your tensions relax with the quiet, calming warmth of Christ’s love and the gift of peace He brings.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . . . Philippians 4:6-7

Finding the peace that we don’t understand, yet know we must seek, has to be discovered through Christ Jesus . . . and that illuminated understanding leads to a newfound life of peace and joy!

Consider this . . . sometimes, in order to experience even a sliver of much needed peace and calm, you have to say “no” to something, or “stop,” or “wait,” . . . or even harder “I need help.” Do it in an honest, realistic, genuine way—not mean or cross, or hurtful—but firmly let others (and especially yourself) understand that you need time . . . time with God, time in prayer, time to rest, time to pause . . . you need peace.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world” . . . John 16:33

Reflections of Hope . . .

Pause for a few moments, close your eyes, and listen to the Holy Spirit whisper in your heart . . .
     Where do you need to find peace in your life??

            What can you “let go of,” say “no” or “stop” to?

                   Where do you need to ask for help, so that you can give God the      
                         time He deserves in your life?

Choose one of the scriptures above that speaks to you most . . . copy it down, color around it, underline it,
write a list of choices where you can find some peaceful time for you this season!

Doodle . . . snowflakes, a tree, wreath, or candle . . . look at what you have done . . . how is your own heart speaking
to you through the shroud of hectic? Listen carefully.

**There is also a music link below for you to listen to this week . . . to slow down, reminisce, and enjoy the holiday
season in your heart and soul.

Remember to pray . . .

Again, this week, find an index card, journal, scrap of paper . . . write down, even fill it, with your hopes and prayers . . . God is listening!

     Where is your life moving too fast this year?

             Is it within your control?

If you can quiet the noise even a bit, ask God’s help to get you there.
If it is out of your control, ask for God’s strength to help you find peace in the moment.

Talk with the Lord . . . take a deep breath and slowly let it out . . . again, until you feel your shoulders relax a bit
and the racing pace of your heart slow down.

Anticipate God’s gift of The Light . . . Choose peace!

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtoITpxsFi4

** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoHYOM8V8mY