The Peace of Presence

As Christmas draws near, the pace of life seems to speed up. There are concerts to attend, gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, and lists that never seem to end. The noise and excitement are wonderful in their own way, but sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that peace rarely comes through motion. It comes through presence.

The peace of presence is not found in a quiet room or a perfectly calm day, though those moments help. It is found in the simple, steady awareness that God is with us. His peace is not the absence of chaos but the assurance that He remains constant within it.

In the days leading up to Christmas, I try to make space for stillness, not perfect silence but intentional pauses. Moments to notice. Moments to breathe. Moments to remember that this season is not about how much I accomplish but how deeply I allow myself to rest in Him.

Presence looks different for each of us. Sometimes it is sitting beside a child reading a story without glancing at the clock. Sometimes it is turning off the noise, setting down the phone, and simply being with family. Sometimes it is spending a few quiet minutes in prayer, thanking God for what is rather than striving for what could be.

The peace of presence is about showing up, fully, honestly, and with grace. It reminds us that we do not have to perform or perfect our way through Christmas. We can simply be with the One who already came to be with us.

As the lights glow and the music plays, may your heart find rest in the presence of Christ. May His peace meet you in the middle of the busy, the beautiful, and even the broken. And may that peace overflow into your home, your heart, and your moments of stillness.

Emmanuel. God with us. That is the heart of peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. — John 14:27