Peace amongst the madness

Photo by Christopher Sardegna on Unsplash

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:11-15

Here we go again. The what I find exhausting Christmas expectations are upon us again. The momentum seems to start earlier each year. I don’t know about yourselves but it feels like the world is all working towards stopping on December the 25th then reopening the following day. What a strange thing this has become as of course not everyone stops at Christmas, not everyone likes it or has family or friends to spend it with and of course many around the world are still working. Yet somehow, we are pushed into the vacuum and it takes a lot to resist the pressure to be part of the madness.

This year we have tried to shift our perspective by doing things a little differently and keeping Jesus first. As Mission on the Move we have been able to give some gifts of peace.

As a one off special for a Christmas gift we have had the chance to help a young girl Asha (not her real name) in India with her education for this coming year. A Pastor friend of mine asked if we could help. She is clever and her mum had schooled her to a level. Her father was abusive and ran away so they are struggling against poverty being and cultural expectation. We have been able to provide her with books, uniform and tuition fees for a year. It is our pleasure to get her on the ladder of education in partnership with the Church in India. Bringing peace to Asha’s troubled situation.

We are making plans for next year to begin our outreach into Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world to help a local Church equip vulnerable young people to live their best life. We are currently in conversation about how this might look. Bringing peace for young people with broken hearts.

We have been out and about in the UK with our pop-up outreach team “Street Life” chatting and praying with people on the busy streets. Many have been distracted by the madness that descends each year and the expectation to “have a good one” rather than celebrate the person of Jesus who is the reason for Christmas. We have been able to pray with some people with huge needs and have some chats about why Christmas happens. Bringing peace to those as we pray with them.

My advice is ditch the expectations keep it simple in your heart and look at Jesus then all the other tinsel and pressure will find its level and not be a distraction. In the words of Luke Chapter 2 “a Saviour has come” bringing peace to all mankind. Look and find Him and you will find peace then we become agents of peace, as we follow Jesus.