Peace on Earth- from Alpha Omega Daily Focus

Peace on Earth
Thursday / December 24, 2009


"He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me" (Psalm 55:18a).

The words on the Christmas card and the noise coming from our school room stood in stark contrast to one another. "Peace on Earth," the card read. "My, wouldn't that be nice?" I thought. I guess every homeschooling parent longs for a peaceful home, but hearing the crescendo in my children's voices, I knew that peace wasn't happening today at our house. But Christmas was coming, and I could hope, right?


As I thought more about peace on Earth, I wondered what Christ meant in John 14:27 when He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Then, the truth of this verse dawned on me — true peace is not the absence of arguments, violence, or wars. True peace is experiencing God's love instead of His wrath because we receive the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. That means fighting children, threats of war, and even interruptions to homeschooling days need not change to experience the presence of Christ's peace in my life.

Would you like to find peace this Christmas? Don't look for the absence of problems. Look instead to the peacemaker whose birth made the angels of heaven proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Let the power of the Holy Spirit fill you this Christmas and experience the peace of Christ within. Shalom! "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus, I praise You for the love, forgiveness, and peace You give to all who trust in You. Please walk with me this Christmas and give me the peace of Your presence in my life. In Your holy name, Amen.

Gabby and Maddy learned to knit....

Gabby's visit with Grandma turned into a knitting lesson. She saw Grandma making some socks for herself (Grandma is quite the knitter). Gabby begged to make some for herself so the next day, we went out and bought yarn and knitting needles. Gabby caught on to kitting quite easily.... of course it's a very, VERY bright rainbow yarn. She now has very bright socks and is working on finishing up a scarf for her dolls. Great job, Gabby! Maddy is learning, too. She is also making a scarf for her dolls and Grandma is making some bright, pink leg warmers for her dance class.

Maddy's and Mine Favorite Christmas Craft....

We made these adorable earrings. My goal was to get charms to make bracelets and the craft store was all out of them, but they had a project sheet for these crystal Christmas tree earrings. We got enough to make three pairs (one for me, Maddy and Grandma). They turned out really cute. I just wish Gabby would wear some. Next year Cheyenne can. She was asking for some, but she's the only one without pierced ears.