Peace
The holidays are a mixed bag if you ask me. We’ve got the beauty of God’s gift of His son, next to the ugliness of fighting over the latest and coolest gift for your kid. There’s this amazing little family made up of a young faith-filled couple in awe of the God-child within travelling miles away and laying a baby in a manger, and there’s your own squabbling, stressed out family trying to get everyone together for one meal without a fight. You’ve got that first Christmas, then you’ve got this one. How do we pull it back a bit?
My suggestion? Simple. Listen to this.
The holidays are a mixed bag if you ask me. We’ve got the beauty of God’s gift of His son, next to the ugliness of fighting over the latest and coolest gift for your kid. There’s this amazing little family made up of a young faith-filled couple in awe of the God-child within travelling miles away and laying a baby in a manger, and there’s your own squabbling, stressed out family trying to get everyone together for one meal without a fight. You’ve got that first Christmas, then you’ve got this one. How do we pull it back a bit?
My suggestion? Simple. Listen to this.
Yeah, I know. It doesn’t fix everything. The gifts still need to be bought. They family still needs to crowd in. But, there’s one moment in place every time I listen to that song—the remembrance of that silent night, that holy night, when all was calm and all was bright.
In an effort to get us back to simple, there's only one more thing to say: Peace. Go find His rest and sleep in His Peace.
Jamie Lath
Jamie Lath is a middle child that has no baby picture without her older sister in it. Even with only two siblings, she grew up with family everywhere because all her aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and even second-cousins lived in her hometown. With forty people at her birthday parties (all relatives) and her sister in every picture, she knows a little about community, and it's everlastingness. This has brought most of her ministry focus into meeting people where they're at, listening closely (especially to those who feel voiceless and like no one is listening), and helping them find God's voice in the mix. Jamie graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas. Following a year of teaching English in China, she returned to the states to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. She received a Th.M. with a focus on Media Arts. Her background in the arts (ballet, writing, and acting) has given her an understanding of how creative expressions can give people a safe place to begin exploring how to use their voice and how it can touch hearts to hear God’s voice. She also blogs at I just called to say "Olive Juice."
2 Comments
Melissa Miller
“Barn” is a western, not an Ancient Near Eastern interpretation.
Manger, yes.
Barn, no.
Other than that, great thoughts. 🙂
Jamie Lath
great catch
Thanks, Melissa. I'll switch that. I think my Texas upbringing popped out for a minute and overran my hermenuetics. 🙂