Rejoice in the Lord always

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (verses 4-7)

Read Philippians 4:4-7

It is the third week in advent; the third candle on the advent wreath will be lit, bringing with it excitement and a sign that Christmas is coming closer, just in case we have escaped relentless advertising campaigns encouraging us to spend, spend, spend, as if Christmas isn’t Christmas unless a lot of money changes hands.

Christmas cards, another sign of Christmas festivities, have begun to arrive declaring, amongst other things, messages of joy and peace for the Christmas season. Frantic preparations for Christmas seem at odds with these messages and it becoming more and more difficult to see Jesus at the centre of this once a year focus on his birth.

However, in our hearts is the knowledge that we celebrate at all times as well as at Christmas because our Lord is always with us bringing a particular peace into our hearts. It is not just the peace that is the absence of war; it is not just the peace that is the opposite of anxiety. It is a peace that is beyond anything we can understand because it is the peace that comes to us through the love and care of God, brought to life through the birth of a tiny child. This is the tranquil peace of those who are loved and the peace of forgiveness, no matter how undeserved it may be. There is much to rejoice, not just at Christmas, but always.

Heavenly Father, may I experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding this Christmas season. Amen.

By Dianne Eckermann
Director of Leadership
Lutheran Education Australia