A Bit of Peace in the Midst of Christmas Chaos
I come from a big family - four siblings, in-laws, cousins, we all had a whole bunch of kids and now they’re bringing their own “special someones” to our family gatherings. It’s anything but quiet. I think everyone takes their own deep breath in the driveway before walking inside my parents’ house, because once you get inside, it’s nothing but chaos. Overlapping conversations, laughter, gifts being unwrapped, and something is always getting spilled. It’s great, but it’s a lot, and it’s certainly not time that would be seen as “peaceful”.
The themes of the Advent season gently interrupt us with a reminder - peace isn’t found in the absence of noise but in the presence of Christ.
The world Jesus entered was anything but serene—occupied territory, political tension, poverty, a young couple far from home and searching for somewhere to stay. Yet right there, in the middle of disorder, God delivered the Prince of Peace. Isaiah called Him the Prince of Peace, not because He removes all chaos, but because He offers a peace that is deeper than anything that surrounds us.
This peace:
Steadies us when life feels overwhelming
Centers us when we feel pulled in a dozen directions
Reminds us who we are and whose we are
Holds us when our hearts are tired
The peace of Christ does not depend on our schedule, our to-do list, or our circumstances. It is rooted in His presence—and His presence is unchanging. Christmas will always come with a measure of chaos—plans to make, people to see, and commitments to fulfill. But Advent gives us an opportunity to look deeper, beyond the noise, and discover a peace that does not waver.
In this season, may Christ meet us in our rushing and our resting, our fullness and our emptiness. May His peace settle over our homes, our hearts, and our celebrations. And may we find calm not because life has slowed down—but because Christ is near.