I sit staring at my mantel, covered in twinkling Christmas lights and garland. The word peace sticks out at me. I wonder if it’s the last year that peace will sit on my mantel for Christmas. If next year another word will take its place as our family makes space for one more. I contemplate six letter Christmasy word that I like. Joyful? I’ve never really liked those little snowflake stocking holders they make, or snowmen one. Then again, I’m a word girl. I love words and meanings of words and words strung together.
As I stare at peace a bit more, it seems like a bit of a funny word for me to have up there. Peace isn’t a word that I would say defines my life, our house or our family. Joyful, seems to fit (I’m leaning more and more towards this as peaces replacement)…but I don’t know about peace.
Peace was on sale at Hobby Lobby. Ninety percent off. I got peace for less than $10. I had always loved the stocking hangers just like her. One was missing its base, so we can’t put anything heavy in one of the stockings, she’s a little rough around the edges, but that fits us.
Which is a shame since she is going to be replaced. Peace has sat on my mantle for 4 Christmases, and I wander how many have been marked by her presence.
It was about the time of her appearance that we put a travel ban on Christmas. Three kids make travel for the holidays tough, plus hard to focus on the reason for the season. Funny how when peace first sat on the mantle it was then we made the intention to have her be a part of our celebration. How can one really celebrate Christmas, and the joy, and the relief of a Savior, if one has no peace? Around the time of her arrival we slowed the hustling and the bustling. We started doing the Jesse tree and advent. We longed and yearned and then we rejoiced and celebrated on Christmas morning. Not ripping apart paper, although that comes, but settling in with coffee and fresh baked cinnamon rolls, and listening to the Good News that Christ the Savior has come.
Peace came about the time loss did. First a dear grandmother, then a mother in law, mom and GaGa, a few miscarriages and three more grandparents were lost. Peace was there those Christmases our eyes could barely see straight for tears, and those we grinned at the joys that were present.
Peace has stood her ground and given gifts.
Maybe embracing peace is how we have made our way to joyful.
Peace came in a manger and died on a cross, and is the reason that no matter if our hearts are aching with loss this holiday, bursting at joy over new arrivals, or are just worn down by the hand that life has dealt us, we can rejoice and be joyful this Christmas. Hope, peace, love, and joy have come…for us.