Encouragement for Life

I enjoy receiving Christmas cards, especially from friends who live far away.  This year I received my first one on the first day of December and a couple more soon after.  One of those first cards (from my niece) had this on the front: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I immediately thought, how appropriate for the Christmas season!  

We tend to be very busy with shopping, baking, decorating, preparing Christmas programs, and attending many Christmas activities.  Sometimes we have little time to reflect on the real reason we are celebrating Christmas in the first place. I think God wants us to just be still. Forget the to-do list for a while. Sit down and take a deep breath. Ask God to calm our minds and spirits and refocus our thoughts on Him. 

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know I am the Wonderful Counselor,

Almighty God, Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.

Be still and know I am Immanuel.

I was in that manger of hay,

Announced by angels, 

Visited by shepherds and wise men. 

I grew up to walk on the earth, 

Teaching mankind how to live. 

Be still, and remember it was I 

Who took your sin punishment 

And offered you eternal life!

So, yes, enjoy the shopping, the baking, the decorating, all of it! Along the way, take time to just “Be Still”. 

Zechariah, the prophet, told the people years before Jesus was born to also, “be still”, because God was coming to live among them. 

Read Zechariah 2:10-13.