Does the thought of having a white Christmas put you in a festive mood?  Drifts of snow, ice skating, sleigh rides, carolers bundled against the cold, hot cider on the stove, a fire in the fireplace – all these winter scenes are pleasant memories for many of us.

Another gift of Christmas is peace.  Have you ever stood outside after a snowfall when the air was crisp and still…when the only sound to penetrate the silence was the whistle of the wind in the treetops or the whoosh of snow slipping from a bough?  Not even your own thoughts could withstand the awesome peace of such a silence.

As we turn within to pray, think of the scenes that bring you peace – perhaps a purring cat on your lap, a crackling fire at your feet, or a sleeping baby against your chest.  Maybe you enjoy gazing at the lights on your Christmas tree or listening to the crunch of frozen leaves beneath your feet. Whatever images fill you with peace, always remember that the Source of Peace is within you and that Source will never leave you.

We turn within and meet the presence of God. Sometimes things get so busy, we have to stop, step-back, and breathe. Some days, we neglect to take time to go within.  On those days, we may find that we are constantly playing catch up.  We may feel like crying out, "Where is my peace?"

God is always waiting for us to pause and go within.   God is here.  So are we.  In this moment, that is enough.   When we come together with our humanness and our spiritual nature, we have the assurance that all our cares and concerns are somehow made right.   The burden of carrying these cares and concerns melts away.  We relax.  We go deeper and feel God's love for us.   Comfort and tranquility descend upon us.   In this breath, we can affirm … and mean it – All is well .

Dear God, we cannot live without your peace.   Thank you for restoring our peace today.   Help us to be radiating centers of that perfect peace.  Fill us with your light and your love.   As you have given peace to us, we give peace to our world.

Amen