Monday, December 5, 2011

Advent Week Two - Peace

The Nativity Carnival hosted by Kerry - Thank you!


Peace… Or at least at our church, that is the order we are following. While visiting around the Nativity Carnival and various sites, I have noticed that not all follow the same order of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. I like that they do not. It helps to remind me not to become to rigid in the process, which would in turn, take the focus from what I am desiring to focus on.


Peace during this month is a concept that cracks me up, with all the seasons hurry, scurry of activities and demands. But, when I become still; when I focus on God, on the amazing, on the mysterious, on the gift, that feeling of peace comes over me.

I can honestly say, I have been a pendulum with that in the past few days. I suppose a pendulum is better than being stuck on the frantic, bah hum bug, that I have, in the past, arrived at.

Last week, I finished up Traveler’s gift box. I do not have a good track record of gifting Traveler with gifts that meet expectations. I decided to add a count down toChristmas, and the idea stuck to me like cooked sticky white rice. I really wanted to do an Advent/ count down to place in her box. Something to maybe keep Christmas in her world in a way that might be unique and add a daily gift. A little bit of home in her new home.


A Christmas Tree.


Some Garland.


A few goodies to open through out the month.




An Advent Countdown.




Bits of fun. Bits of scripture. Bits of service.






I hope she likes it, it should arrive today. But, back to the peace, I won’t allow myself to worry about the reception the box receives. I will focus on the One I need to be focused on and be at peace.




"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid."

-- John 14:27

9 comments:

mamatigerj said...

Your gift box looks lovely, and I love the verse you chose for the end of your post! I am meditating on His Peace as well this week.

Chatty Crone said...

What an interesting box! sandie

FancyHorse said...

Peace - I need that. I need to focus on the Focus, God and his great love for us when we are so unworthy. Thank you for the reminder.

Sandi McBride said...

We follow "Love,Hope, Peace and Joy...as Mama always did...I love that gift box...I expect that a gift of love will be inside and that makes it all worthwhile...I wish we could keep this feeling all year long!
hugs
Sandi

Jules~ said...

You are so wonderful! Traveler is so very blessed to have the thoughtfulness and love that you give. You put a lot of time and effort into that box.

God bless you richly today in all you do.

Anonymous said...

What a box of richness!

DebD said...

Amen. My peace was sorely lacking at the beginning of this advent season. Thanks for the reminder that I need to be intentional about being peaceful.

Kerry said...

Thank you for contributing to the Nativity Carnival! What a great box you made! Fantastic! And the reminder of "PEACE" is very needed in my life today. :)

Debbie said...

What a lovely and thoughtful gift. I'm sure it will be warmly received!

And I hadn't thought about it until reading your post, but you are right. We can get so rigid in even our advent traditions that we miss the entire point.