Christmas Countdown 2023 … Day 10

On Friday evening this week I slipped into a pew in the darkened sanctuary of our church. I had been standing outside as a greeter for the past half hour and it felt good to be sitting. Working retail at Christmas had already given me a chance to be on my feet most of the day. 

I sat by a younger than me friend. She and I and our families have walked through a lot of the good, the bad and the ugly of life over the past two decades. We have some stories and some scars and a lot of laughter shared. 

As the music enveloped us, tears came easily to my eyes as they tend to do in most worship and all Christmas services. The songs of this season carry with them reminders of the past and convey our hope for the future. So tears are mingled joy and sorrow and become the language of worship when the voice struggles to carry the tune. 

As we sat together listening to the teaching and joining in the prayers, I knew our memories were intertwined. Across the aisles and up and down the pews, I know a lot of the women. The empty places left by others gone by death or by choice fill the room with a tangible sense of the unity of women who have journeyed through much together.

The lights of Christmas warmed the darkness around us and there was the sweet communion of saints.

And there was peace. 

Not perfection. 

Not lack of conflict. 

Not ignorance of the struggles in our homes, schools, city, nation and around the world. 

But peace. 

Peace won for us and sustained for us by the One we call Emmanuel. 

God with us. 

Peace

The Prince of Peace has come. 

So take a breath and then another. 

Light the second candle of the Advent season and receive His peace.

He has reconciled us to the Father.

He has brought us from darkness into the light.

He has healed our wounds and forgiven our sins.

He has made us whole and He is perfecting us more and more into His image of love, mercy, compassion, holiness and grace. 

Hallelujah…Christ has come <3