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Yes, it’s that most wonderful time of the year, as they sing, when society is thrown into a commercial frenzy! “No Jesus, No Peace.” Remember this truth as store line-ups and traffic line-ups and parking line-ups and line-ups of just about every other kind get longer and longer, and the tempers of people everywhere get shorter and shorter! Remember this truth as you frantically run from mall to mall and store to store looking for that “perfect” gift for that “special” someone. Now don’t get me wrong. I, as much as the next person, love getting gifts. There’s nothing wrong with that. All I’m saying is, that in the midst of all the Christmas hysteria, don’t lose your focus. Remember what’s really important here. We can get so caught up in the “doing’ that we neglect the “being.”
I’m reminded of the account in Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus drops in on Mary and Martha for a visit. Many of us can relate to Martha. So much to do in so little time. There are guests to entertain and meals to cook and decorations to display…details, details, details. They can be so overwhelming, and they will consume us if we allow them to. It’s noble to want everything to be just perfect. That’s a good thing to strive for. Unfortunately, the ironic thing about it all is that most people don’t even realize how much detail goes into the preparations you’ve made. And, dare I say, with all due respect, they don’t really care either. All they really want is to relax and spend time with you!
Few can identify with Mary. Ah, yes, Mary – the sister who understood and treasured the gift of time spent with Jesus, her Lord. Amidst all the hustle and bustle around her, she was at peace in the company of her dear Friend. She knew the One who calmed a stormy sea, the One who healed many in their state of sickness, the One who comforted the lonely and the downtrodden, the One who would eventually raise her dear brother from the dead. And, yes, the very One who created her and knew her well. She didn’t let distractions and busyness get in the way of what was most important to her. Here sits the sister who chose the better thing. Mary was most fulfilled and at peace in the presence of the Prince of Peace.
It is for this very reason Christ came to this earth. He came near to us to make peace with us, we who were very far away from Him. There are many who don’t really know and understand why He came. It’s especially evident at this very special time of year. So many lonely people walking around empty and aimless in this world. So many busy people walking around lonely inside their own mental reality. No peace. No joy. Just another meaningless Christmas. Nothing breaks the heart of God more than this. He craves relationship with us in order that He might pour His love into us and bless us with peace that passes all understanding. Those of us who have received the Good News wrapped up in God’s Son can offer them the greatest gift, one they’d treasure forever if only we’d unwrap it for them – the gift of Christ’s presence and peace. My prayer this Christmas is that we might experience what Mary did and focus on what really matters – the Prince of Peace.
As my friend and I kept driving along that day, I gave that bumper sticker some more thought. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that what it proclaimed was only half of the message. Since then, I came across another bumper sticker that states it more fully, “No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace!” Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving! Have a “Mary” Christmas.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Joe Di Francesco is the Music Review Columnist for Beautiful One Magazine. A professional singer, music writer and worship leader, he also works as a freelance writer, with work published in a number of Christian music magazines.
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