Often when we talk about Christmas, there is mention of "peace on earth, and goodwill towards men." And, lately I've been thinking, peace on earth? How about peace at Christmas dinner?!?
It's strange how during a season of such joy, hope and love, sometimes our family dynamics can be at their worst. I'll admit, my family tends to bring out the worst in me at times. I can go from a pretty darn laid back individual to reacting with some strong emotions at certain members of my family - especially during the holiday season.
I'm sure we all could speculate about the various causes of why this happens in almost every family I have ever met: differing expectations around the holidays, personalities clashing, past family discord, differing values, and maybe even spiritually motivated attacks - just to get to us at such a Christ-centered time.
Whatever the reason, the reality is that it happens. Unfortunately, Christmas gatherings, family functions, "together" times, can lead to high-stress-high-emotion-situations. But I'd like to suggest that this year, they don't have to. At least for you (and me). Even though there is no guarantee that aunt-what's-her-face won't insult your ugly Christmas sweater (it was MEANT to be ironic!); or uncle-too-much-drinky won't drag up issues he shouldn't; or that your brother/sister/mother/father/dog/kid/grandma/person-new-to-the-family/crazy next-door-neighbour won't place expectations on you that you don't live up to, you don't have to fall into the grips of the Christmas clash.
I'm reminded of Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." What would it look like to be the peacemaker in your family? To be willing to apologize, forgive, reconcile, confront-in-love members of your family this Christmas?
I can't think of a more suitable time to desire to be a peacemaker than at Christmas - a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, child of God - when peacemakers will be called children of God. Christ came as the supreme peacemaker to model to us how to live.
Paul reminds us in Romans 12:18, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." I'm glad it doesn't say, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone except your family because that's a lost cause."
I think working for peace in our families is the first step towards peace on earth. Mainly because I think it is probably one of the hardest steps of all.
So this holiday, as stresses tend to run high, pray that God allows you to be the peacemaker. What a cool example to family members who might not know Jesus yet, and even to those who do.
I want to wrap this up with the words of the song from the 50s "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Maybe it's the hippie deep down in me (or the Anabaptist) but I seriously love this song:
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
~
Let's be peace this Christmas.
1 comment:
Thank you!
Added to our "regularly scheduled strife" is the fact that my mom may not be with us next Christmas. You'd think we'd all want to be more Christ-like - and we're praying that just once, we all will be.
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