Download December 8 PDF

 

 

 our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,

and by His wounds we are healed.”  —  Isaiah 53:5

 

 

It Came upon a Midnight Clear emphasis on the second half of verse three, “When the new heavn’n and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King.”

As a mom of two young girls, and an elementary teacher, I understand the desire for peace. How many of us parents have said those famous words, “I need a little peace and quiet!“ At work, as the responsibilities pile up and the stress of the day seems to weigh us down, don’t we wish for a peace? When you turn on the news or read the paper about all of the violence in our world, don’t you pray for peace? Peace as a term is trendy at Christmas. But often it remains just that – a cute phrase to put on our holiday cards – “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.” But how often do we actively work at bringing that peace on earth? Are we peacemakers in our own families? Do we work to heal family strife or do we let our prejudices bring discord? Do we get upset at friends and neighbors who don’t celebrate the holidays for the “right reasons” or do we work to build community with everyone? Peace on earth starts with us, with our attitudes towards others.

As you have your family time to celebrate the season of peace, talk about getting along with siblings and friends. Talk about situations where they can be the peacemaker: be the first to apologize to a sibling or friend in a disagreement, forgive others when they do something that upsets them, etc. Read John 14:27 and discuss the gift of God’s peace.

 

 

 

Our girls love peace signs, and you see them everywhere. Why not make them into a reminder of God’s peace? Cut peace signs out of fun-colored construction paper and have the children copy the John 14:27 verse on them. Hang them on a doorknob with cute ribbon as a daily reminder of where TRUE peace comes from.

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for the gift of peace you so freely give us each day. We pray for peace in our hearts, our home, and our world. Teach us to be peacemakers, and help us to forgive others just as you forgive us. Amen.
 

 

Merry Christmas!