Every Christmas Season, we see the familiar “Peace on Earth” on Christmas cards, in promotional campaigns, billboards, even stitched onto holiday pillows. This phrase comes straight from Luke 2:14.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  

It’s a beautiful thought, but if we’re honest, peace often feels like the one thing missing from our holiday season.

Between packed schedules, family commitments, and endless to-do lists, “peace” can seem like a luxury reserved for later.  We think that peace will come after the shopping is done, after the presents are wrapped, when the celebrations are over.  But here’s the good news: peace isn’t just a seasonal slogan. It’s something we can, and should, live into every day, all year long.

The “peace” of Luke 2:14 is more than just a season of the year or a break in our calendars; it refers to a deep, lasting calm that comes from within no matter what situation we find ourselves in.  Lasting peace is rooted in Christ’s presence. It doesn’t deny life’s chaos, yet it steadies us in the middle of it. It’s the kind of peace that allows us to carry joy and gentleness into even the most difficult or stressful situations.

So how do we find (and keep) that kind of peace in the middle of real life? Here are a few small but powerful practices:

Take a daily pause.

Set aside a window of time every day to step away from the noise of life. Even five minutes can shift your entire outlook. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, take a short walk outside, or read a passage of scripture. Use this time to offer worship to God in the form of a song or a prayer. These micro-moments of stillness can reset your spirit.

Choose less, not more.

Not every invitation or tradition needs to be a “yes.” Choose activities that bring you joy and connection rather than saying “yes” to things out of a sense of obligation. Giving yourself permission to simplify your calendar opens the door to peace.

Be fully present.

Peace has a way of slipping in when we slow down enough to notice it. Put away your phone at dinner. Listen deeply when someone is sharing a story rather than multitasking. Let the small but meaningful moments stretch a little longer.

Share it outward.

True peace isn’t just for us. True peace will spill over into the way we speak to our coworkers, how we respond to stress, and the way we treat the people around us - even in the overcrowded parking lot or the holiday checkout line.

This Christmas try leaning into the deeper peace that lasts no matter the season. This is the kind of peace that quiets our hearts and transforms the way we live and love in the middle of our busy world.

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