I sit here this morning pondering what I want to share. As I consider previous blogs, the current season and recent events in my small space on this planet I am drawn to these two words – Peace and Joy.

So I looked in scripture where these words occur together:

Isaiah 55:12: You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (This verse is a personal favorite!)

Proverbs 12:20: Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (On my wall as a daily reminder.)

Interestingly, we also find numerous Christmas carols with Peace and Joy in the lyrics so familiar to our hearts.

Silent Night – “Sleep in heavenly peace”

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day –

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Joy to the World – “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”

Oh Holy Night –

“Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!”

O Come all Ye Faithful –

“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem”

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen –

“Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy”

Hark the Herald Angels Sing –

“Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born king”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born king”

By no means an exhaustive list, yet enough to illustrate the consistency of these two words – Peace and Joy – aligned with the birth of Jesus and the Christmas season.

For me, in December, the color is white; and the feel is crisp, and clean….. snow on the mountains and trees, moisture in the air, the silence you can hear when you stand still in a snow covered mountain-scape. A palpable stillness, yet crisp, clean and vibrant. You can see your breath and feel the crisp air on your cheeks. A winter wonderland.

A landscape of peace, stillness . . . rest.

…. and Joy …… a deep abiding belief in the Goodness of God, forever.

Indeed, we have the precious gift of the Prince of Peace and His Joy within us; which is our strength!