Peace
Bless her heart! My little angel doesn’t match one single thing in my house! She clashes with everything! But isn’t she cute?
I stitched the angel years ago and just can’t bear to get rid of her yet. She did have to get readjusted today before I could put her up anywhere. She had been shoved into a box last year with random decorations. In the process, the scene pulled loose slightly from its backing resulting in an unsightly wrinkle you can see on the lower right side. I completely undid the layers of backing, sprayed it with starch, then pressed the wrinkles out. I carefully pulled and tugged to reposition the stitchery properly and secured it on all sides. I am now at peace with my little angel.
The Christmas story involves a number of angels. The angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias that Elizabeth would bear a child who would be a special messenger of God to turn many to the way of the Lord. Zacharias questioned in unbelief and was struck mute until John was born. I’m sure he would have had more peace in his heart during that time had he just accepted the angel’s declaration.
Gabriel went next to Mary to tell she would be mother of the Messiah. Mary wanted to know more. I think even with the social stigma and the questions about her pregnancy, Mary had peace. In her ready obedience and confidence in the identity of her Son, she was able to magnify the Lord and rejoice in God her Savior.
Next came an angel telling the Good News to a bunch of rough shepherds. Isn’t it wonderful to know God offered His joyful greetings to some of the most despised men of that society? Not just one angel came. A multitude of the heavenly host appeared praising God – ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men.’ I think peace and good will was especially needful in the shepherds’ lives. How joyful they must have been! Their obedience to the angel’s directions was immediate and resulted in them being Jesus’ first visitors. They went back to the fields glorifying and praising God for the experience.
Through Jesus’ early days, angels appeared to Joseph with exact directions to protect the child and Mary. Each time an angel told Joseph what needed to be done, the Bible says he arose and obeyed immediately. What peace it would have been to be led by an angel! Beats a GPS for sure!
And I love it when angels say do not fear. Those words brought peace to the hearts of their listeners.
Better yet, how about the grown up Jesus’ words in John 14:27 TLB. ‘I am leaving you with a gift -peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’
Don’t let your peace get wrinkled like my little angel. Trust in God to iron out the difficulties of life and allow Him to bring peace to your soul during this season. And every single day of your life!
Blessings
KB
