Changing the Atmosphere
I have had several conversations with people lately about how it seems to be harder than usual for them to get into the "Christmas Spirit" this year. We've speculated about why that might be - but my focus here is not going to be on those thoughts and ideas. What I'd like to do is spend some time looking at how we might go about making it easier for those around us to find that Christmas Spirit - and maybe even hold on to it year-round.
One of my favorite prayer/poems is the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:
Over the next few days, I'm going to pick a line or two of this prayer and expand upon how - if we really lived it out - it could truly change the atmosphere around us.
As we enter into the Christmas season, how often do we see the words, "Peace on Earth"? It's in songs and on greeting cards. It perhaps originated in the story of Jesus' birth, as depicted in Luke, Chapter 2, where verse 14 says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (NKJV). It's even become one of the few phrases that people of all faiths and traditions can agree on to say to one another during the holiday season.
While I'm sure everyone likes the concept of peace over all the earth, how much time do we actually spend doing our part to make it come to fruition? What does it mean to actually be such an "instrument"? The prayer goes into some specifics that we will look at individually, but I think it begins with your attitude. An attitude in your heart that says, "It doesn't have to be this way!" It's an attitude that motivates you to be obedient to whatever God asks you to do to be part of the solution and not part of the problem; A stress reducer and not a stress producer; A transformer of the situation, not a conformer to your environment.
This type of attitude and approach to life can truly change the atmosphere around you. It can create an environment where the Christmas Spirit flourishes. And not just in December - but every day of the year. Pay close attention to your heart attitude today. Is it one that allows God to work with you to be a change instrument for Peace? If not, ask God to help you change your attitude - and watch the atmosphere around you become more peaceful.
One of my favorite prayer/poems is the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
As we enter into the Christmas season, how often do we see the words, "Peace on Earth"? It's in songs and on greeting cards. It perhaps originated in the story of Jesus' birth, as depicted in Luke, Chapter 2, where verse 14 says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (NKJV). It's even become one of the few phrases that people of all faiths and traditions can agree on to say to one another during the holiday season.
While I'm sure everyone likes the concept of peace over all the earth, how much time do we actually spend doing our part to make it come to fruition? What does it mean to actually be such an "instrument"? The prayer goes into some specifics that we will look at individually, but I think it begins with your attitude. An attitude in your heart that says, "It doesn't have to be this way!" It's an attitude that motivates you to be obedient to whatever God asks you to do to be part of the solution and not part of the problem; A stress reducer and not a stress producer; A transformer of the situation, not a conformer to your environment.
This type of attitude and approach to life can truly change the atmosphere around you. It can create an environment where the Christmas Spirit flourishes. And not just in December - but every day of the year. Pay close attention to your heart attitude today. Is it one that allows God to work with you to be a change instrument for Peace? If not, ask God to help you change your attitude - and watch the atmosphere around you become more peaceful.
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