I’m fully aware that I can go a bit overboard with pix of my precious girls.  But I spend infinitely more time with them than any other living creature on earth.  So, thank you for extending grace on this latest addition to the photo album.

As I gazed at these two sleeping beauties, I was struck not only by the sweetness of their snuggling, but by the peaceful aura that surrounded them – and, by extension, to me.  Because, of course, they were lying on my lap when I snapped the photo.

We are inundated with the idea of peace during this holy time of year.  We sing about it in our Christmas carols. We read about the coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace in the Bible. Sometimes we even use it as greetings in church services.  “Peace be with you.  And also with you.”  And, of course, it’s listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

It’s a great concept, isn’t it?  Who doesn’t want a peaceful life?  Or at least a few peaceful days sprinkled in from time to time.  We pray for world peace.  We long for peace among our families and friends. We may even cry out, “I need a little peace and quiet!”

And yet, the reality that surrounds us is often anything but peaceful.  Many of you reading this would describe your world as chaotic, with no hint of peace in your near future.

We bring much of this on ourselves as we strive to create that elusive “Norman Rockwell Christmas” which mostly just happens in his paintings. The reality of life in this world is that we are faced with challenges, big and small, on a regular basis.

We hope and pray that things settle down to a more normal level of crazy after Christmas, but then it often seems we just pick up where we left off a few months ago, and we’re right back in the thick of it all.

How do we find peace, not just during these holidays, but all year long – and especially when we’re bombarded with more than we can handle?

Here are some practical suggestions to help you stay more grounded as the world around you keep shaking!  Pick one or two that seem doable to you.  Don’t add more stress by striving to do all of these!

• Start the day before the noise starts – Even five quiet minutes matters. Don’t check email or news first. Sit. Breathe. Pray. Read a short Scripture. Peace grows best when it’s planted early.

• Name what’s not yours to carry – When worry rises, ask: Is this mine to fix? If not, consciously set it down. Peace often comes from releasing responsibility God never intended for us.

• Slow your body to calm your mind – Peace isn’t only spiritual, it’s also physical. Take slower breaths. Walk instead of rushing. Unclench your jaw and shoulders. A hurried body fuels an anxious soul. (Note to Lynne: maybe stop speeding!)

• Reduce input – Too much noise steals peace. Limit news. Scroll less. Turn off background TV. Silence isn’t empty—it’s restorative.

• Choose one thing at a time – Multitasking fragments attention and increases stress. Finish one small task before starting another. Completion brings calm.

• Speak fewer words when emotions are high – You don’t have to respond immediately. Pausing protects peace—yours and others’.

• Practice gratitude out loud – Write it. Say it. Pray it. Gratitude doesn’t deny hardship—it reminds us we’re not without provision.

• Create routines that ground you – Morning coffee by a window. A short evening walk. A special time and place for prayer. Curling up with your children, grandchildren or pets. Predictable rhythms bring emotional safety.

• Set gentle boundaries – Peace often disappears when we over-commit. It’s okay to say, “Not right now,” or “That’s not something I can take on.”

• Return to truth when fear shows up – Ask: What do I know to be true right now? Fear thrives on “what ifs.” Peace lives in what is. And more pointedly – who God is.

While these are ways we can be actively engaged in creating more moments of peace in our lives, the very best prescription for lasting peace is to ask the Prince of Peace, Jesus, to give us his peace.

He is the giver of all good gifts, and he longs to bring peace into our hearts and our world. Spend a few moments asking God specifically for that “peace that passes all understanding” and be amazed when you actually feel your spirit begin to rest.

Many of you know that my verse for this season of my life is from John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

That’s just the second half of the verse.  The text begins with these words from Jesus, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.”  The promise of his eventual return – and an eternity praising God – is a wonderful prescription for a peaceful outlook.

So, see if any of those practical suggestions can be woven into the fabric of your life to give you some relief.  But know that true, lasting peace comes ultimately through Jesus.

As we celebrate the miracle of his birth this week, may you also experience the miracle of his peace, even in the midst of all that swirls around you.

If Maisy and Mimi can rest so completely, perhaps it’s an invitation for us to do the same—placing ourselves in the care of the One who watches over us.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Peace I leave with you;

My peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

John 14:27