Advent Series:Peace

Prepare Him Room

Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

God wanted a connection,
So the Word became Flesh;
God came down to us so that
Not one of us should perish.


Emmanuel—God With Us,
Came with no place to stay;
Born humbly in a stable
In a manger full of hay.


A Savior no one had room for,
Born in a troubled time;
He came to give us peace-
Hear the joyful bells chime!


“Let every heart prepare Him room”,
Did you hear the clue?
Not just during Christmas time,
But all the year through.

Peace [pēs] noun: freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

It’s amazing how just reading the definition of peace can calm our hearts! If ever there is a time we need peace, it is right now. There is so much going on around us that troubles our minds and hearts. But worry robs us of our peace. When we give our concerns over to God, He gives us peace. (Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.) There is a mantra that I say to myself when I’m overly concerned about something:

Don’t worry, but worship, don’t panic, but pray; trust in the Lord.

It’s natural to be concerned about a difficult circumstance we’re experiencing, but God doesn’t want us to be consumed by it. It may sound trite, but when I pray about the particular situation that is causing me distress and start singing praise songs to the Lord, I’m filled with a sense of peace that can only come from Him! The circumstances may not have changed, but my demeanor has, and I am able to move forward. Jesus came to give us peace in a troubled world. He acknowledged that in this world we will have troubles, but the good news is that He will give us a peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:6,7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

I’m sure Mary and Joseph were worried about where they would spend the night when there were no rooms left in town. But God prepared a room for them, and their hearts were at peace. When we prepare Him room in our hearts, peace follows. We may be surrounded by a disruptive storm, but Jesus can calm that storm. Just as the eye of a hurricane is tranquil, Jesus can be our peace in a storm when we make Him the center of our life. Prepare Him room in your heart this Christmas and the Prince of Peace who came into this world will calm your soul.

Lord, calm my heart and mind when I am feeling stressed and anxious. As I give over my concerns to You, may I feel Your peace flood my soul as I rest in Your presence. Amen