As I chatted with a friend this week at work, we were commenting on this
thing called Black Friday and how it seems like people are already conditioned
to spend money on gifts for no apparent reason. I recounted to her about
purchasing a couple of large containers of water from a local big box store. As
my wife and I entered, we were immediately bombarded with the static din of
aggressive shoppers, all armed with shopping carts. As we waited patiently in
line for what seemed to be an eternity, not really, we felt the stress of
everyone around us as they clamoured and jockeyed for position so as not to
miss something. We were finally able to breathe once we retreated to the quiet
and sanctuary of our vehicle.
My co-worker, a great spiritual ally and teacher preacher, reminded me
that it was like that in Bethlehem when the census was ruled to happen, in
order for the Romans to flush out the messiah. She described that the confusion
of people from everywhere were trying their best to make it back to their
birthplace, Bethlehem in order to comply, out of fear. Can you just imagine the
noise, confusion, stress, and worry that would be taking place? Instead of shopping
carts and short fuses, there would have been donkey carts and Roman soldiers.
Yet in the midst of all the chaos, Mary and Joseph and their meager
possessions were able to find peace and quiet, once they removed themselves
from the mayhem. Now just imagine, there they were, alone. Only they knew who
she was to give birth to, Jesus, Emmanuel, our King, The Prince of peace. It
was all to happen in perfect peace. That, is the peace we need to carry
everywhere with us. In this time of misguided values of gift purchases because
the world says so, we need that peace. I encourage everyone to extract
themselves from the stress of expectation that going into financial debt to
show love for someone, is what Christmas is. Resist the deception that Christmas
is a time for gift giving.
Let us all realize that the true gift is the peace we have already been
given by the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Bring that peace to your workplace, your
dinner table, your family and friends, and to your church body. Love your
neighbors, family, and spouse, as yourself, knowing that true peace, His peace
will surround you if you let it. Count those blessings, instead of your
leftover pocket change. In other words, bring on the peace.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com
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