For many families, this holiday season is a time filled with tension, arguments and frustrations. It’s a sad fact because it has the potential to be such a wonderful time together.

I think it’s a combination of several things coming together: the time they finally get to spend together (with breaks from school and work, families are suddenly thrust together when they used to only see each other briefly between busy schedules), tensions that have been building up over time finally exploding (you only have time to get angry when you see family in passing but little time together to resolve them), and expectations over holiday traditions and schedules (Dad wants to do this, Mom wants to do that, the kids don’t like this or that, and there’s no time for any of it).

Yesterday I was reading the Christmas story and was struck by a passage that I’ve read a hundred times before:

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14, NIV) 

I found myself praying that the peace of God would fill the hearts and homes of families around the world this Christmas. I’ve been praying for Christian families and those that don’t yet know the Lord, that we all would discover the peace that comes only in Christ’s love and sacrifice.

Won’t you join me?

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