by: Rebecca Little, Elementary School principal

It’s hard to believe the Christmas season is here again. My mind is filled with thoughts of how I want this time to be - a season of reflection, celebration, giving, serving, and creating wonderful memories with family. You get the picture. We all have our expectations for Christmas and what we hope it will be.

Yet, with all the “I want it to be” moments, we often find ourselves in a frenzy, striving to make the season meet those expectations. This striving can leave us feeling frustrated, anxious, and rushed. Unfortunately, those emotions can spill over, weighing down those around us, including our children.

Reflecting, I realize that this fretting and busyness isn’t confined to the holidays. It can stretch into the rest of the year. I doubt I’m alone in this experience, so I’ve asked myself: How can it be different? What needs to change in me?   

CALM

The word that comes to mind is CALM. Reverend George Ellis defines calm beautifully:
“Calm suggests a quietness: a settling of the mind. It is a soberness or clear thinking and a peace that should be the heart and mind of every Christian believer.”

This definition resonated deeply with me. Reflecting on it, I was reminded of the blessings and peace that come when I ask God to calm my anxious heart. In those moments, this acrostic came to mind:

C – Closeness to God
I am reminded that I can rest in His relentless love and forgiveness because of His grace and mercy. I can bask in His presence and find peace in His nearness.

A – Attitude of Gratefulness
When I am calm, I can see life's “little” blessings that stir my heart and lead me to praise and thanksgiving.

L – Listening Intently
A calm spirit allows me to hear God’s gentle whispers and to be more attentive to the voices of others in my life.

M – Mind at Rest
In calmness, my mind is settled, and I experience a deep and gentle rest in my soul.

Jesus came in the still and calm of the night. Throughout His ministry, He invites us to come to Him - whether in the midst of storms, under heavy burdens, or during seasons of chaos. He is our calm in the craziness of the holiday season, our calm in life’s storms, and our calm amid the busyness of a fast-moving world.

As we prepare to celebrate His birth and anticipate His return, may we remain calm. Let this calmness be contagious, blessing those around us this Christmas season and beyond.

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
(Mark 4:39)