The anticipation for Christmas continues to build, as week slip into week two of Advent. This week we will incorporate Peace into our homemaking.
Last week we briefly discussed what Advent is, and then moved on to talk about week one: Hope. In talking about hope, we worked on building the anticipation for Christmas, and the anticipation for Christs second advent, when He returns.
If you’re just joining in, and want to catch up, take a look at last weeks post, before reading this one. It’s not too late to participate!
Peace:
The next candle in the advent wreath represents Peace, let’s light this weeks, and last weeks candle.
Isn’t it exciting to see the light become brighter? Anyway, let begin:
What comes to mind when you think of peace?
I think about a calmness in the evening: my husband comes home, dinner is done, and there’s nothing else that needs to be finished. We can curl up on the couch, drink tea, and watch a movie or something. No expectations, no chores, no running errands.
Now, that doesn’t get to happen every evening, but when it does, it’s so peaceful. It feels like all of the hard work we put into our lives is worth those moments.
Because of Christ, and the hope He has given us, we have peace with God. And because of this, we can have His peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s a peace only God can give, it’s a peace that goes beyond a feeling.
It’s a peace that does not depend on the circumstances that surround us. In the midst of pure chaos, we can still be at peace.
What does the Bible say about peace? Read John 16: 33, John 14: 27, 2 Thess. 3:16, Phil. 4:6-7.
There has been plenty of times in my life where I have felt this peace:
- In the midst of scary moments, where my husband and I didn’t know how we would afford to live.
- In the middle of losing loved ones.
- As our car broke down over 1,000 miles from home.
- When I struggle with my on going health troubles.
- In feeling like I was surrounded by darkness.
It can be a strange feeling, being at peace while nothing around you is peaceful; but it’s a beautiful gift only God can give. It’s like standing out in the middle of a hurricane, drinking a cup of coffee, feeling content without any worry or fear.
In the midst of pure chaos, we can still be at peace.
This peace comes from trust. Trust that our Heavenly Father is sovereign, that He is not taken by surprise, and knows better than we do. A lot of times we have an idea of how we want things to be, but God will always know how things need to be.
In His Word, He promises to never leave us or forsake us, and throughout my life, this has been proven to be true, time and time again. If we continue to put our trust in Him, we will be filled with His abundant peace. (Deut. 31:8, Heb. 13:5-6, Ps. 94: 14)
With that peace we are called to be peacemakers, doing what we can to make peace with others. This is the overflow of the peace of God in our lives. It’s doesn’t mean to put aside our beliefs to accept sin, but to put aside our pride to make amends and finding ways to work in the body of Christ as a whole. (Rom. 12:17-21)
This is true peace. It is not something we can create ourselves, this peace is lasting throughout our whole lives, in every circumstance.
What is something or someone in your life that you need to make peace with?
Write them down, and ask God to help you make peace by forgiving, or simply moving forward. Let Him give you His peace, it is truly freeing. Don’t try to make your own through movies, video games, shopping, or anything else that can occupy too much time. On their own, they’re not bad things, but they cannot give you lasting peace.
Peace in Our Homemaking
Like I said, we cannot create true peace ourselves. We can, however, create a peaceful atmosphere in our homes, that remind us of the peace God freely gives.
There are a lot of ways to do this, and I have talked about a few in my post about Turning a House into a Home, if you want to read a few more.
When thinking about creating a peaceful atmosphere, think about coziness:
- Light candles (real or fake)
- Dim the lights
- Hang Christmas lights or other string lights
- Play calming music in the background
- Have a simmer pot going or run a essential oil deffuser
- Eat dinner together at the table
- Make warming drinks: hot cocoa, tea, coffee, moon milks. (Click here to make custom tea blends!)
- Get out the comfy blankets
- Turn off the TV, and play board games or read a book together.
Your home does not need to be perfectly clean, but taking some time to put away some of the clutter can make a home feel more comfortable. Here is a Quick Cleaning Check List to help keep things clean in this busy season.
These are just some ideas, so don’t worry about trying to do all of them. Doing these things will not make you more peaceful. It is more important to slow down, and enjoy the season with those you love and making your home a sanctuary from the outside world.
I want to encourage you to lean into this Advent season. It can really help us to slow down, and remember why we are celebrating. Allow yourself to be removed from the business and chaos of trying to make everything perfect for Christmas, and enjoy each week as it comes.
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