Deep Peace
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. The Spirit of God is gifting you great joys in little things. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, sit in the glow of your Christmas tree lights – do something that brings you comfort.
Consider that peace is not only something hoped for, but is a promise already given to each one of us.
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you
Deep peace of Christ to you
– John Rutter
Isaiah 9:6
“...And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Food for Thought
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my sisters and I had the opportunity to gather around the piano and sing John Rutter’s “Gaelic Blessing,” while our mother accompanied us. This is one of my favorite songs that we sing together, and is the very song that accompanied my walk down the aisle on the day of my wedding.
I have wonderful memories from that day: the moment I saw my husband standing in his dress blues, my dad walking me down the aisle, the words shared at the reception, the dancing and the laughter. It was a beautiful day of celebration.
I chose “Gaelic Blessing” for its message – words that had always touched my heart. The last verse sings, "Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world to you. Deep peace of Christ to you." The lyrics whisper a promise of calm amid life's tumultuous currents. It was more than a song for me on that day; it was a heartfelt invocation for a harmonious journey ahead.
Marriage, as many can attest, is not always the simplest or easiest of journeys. And so I wanted our new life together as partners to be accompanied by the reminder that peace can be an enduring and resilient partner to us as well. That is not to say that everything will always be peaceful, but that something of peace can come along with us in each day, even when things are difficult or uncertain.
Peace can mean something different to each of us: it can mean a world with no war, it can mean tranquility, it can mean no worries or a lack of anxiety and stress, it can mean being surrounded by love. In the Greek, the root of the word for peace means to bind up or bring together what has been separated – peace is that which makes it possible for us to find our way toward reconciliation with God, one another and all of creation.
I like to think of peace as a gift that exists within each of us, always within reach – that when our hearts are broken, or what we experience or see around us is particularly trying, we can be reminded that we are not alone. Like a warm embrace from God, peace reminds us of our belovedness, and calls us back to the source of all that is of God’s love. Peace can give us the strength we need to carry on, to try again, to mend the broken places in our world and our relationships, and to offer something of love more fully to those around us.
The Gospel of John reminds us that we are offered peace freely – it isn’t something that we have to define well; it isn’t something that we have to earn or that is only offered to a select few folks. It is given to us simply to receive and hold, and to hopefully share.
This blessing of peace is not just a wish; it is a promise that transcends circumstance – that even in the face of it all, there exists a source of peace that surpasses understanding, but does not exceed our grasp.
As we celebrate this Advent season, may the “Gaelic Blessing” reverberate in our hearts – a reminder that peace was born into the world. In the midst of our own journeys, may we embrace the promise of deep peace and extend it to others. For in this promise lies the essence of our celebration – the acknowledgment that no matter what comes, a profound and enduring peace is always within reach, bestowed upon us as a sacred gift.
If you find this season especially difficult, take some time to be silent. Remember that you are not alone. God is with you. Reflect on the ways you can see God at work all around you.
Think of ways you can show up and be a source of peace for someone else who is experiencing a difficult season during the holidays. Write them a letter of encouragement, or sit with them and allow them to just be.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
If you are looking for a few ideas to create a more welcoming space this holiday season, here are Five Things to Remember When Setting a Welcome Table for the Holidays.
Blessing
God of Peace,
May your love for us be a source of peace for our journeys. Hold us a little tighter and walk with us a little more closely. Help us to see the ways you are working all around and through us. Allow us to be a source of peace for others.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Talk together about what peace means to you?
Share a few things that bring you peace in difficult moments?
How can we be sources of peace for one another in this world? Has someone else ever served as a source of peace for you? In what way have you experienced this shared peace?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Talk with your kiddo about what peace means to them.
Have them draw a picture of peace.
Make a list together of ways that we see peace in the world around us. How can we share peace with one another?
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Kendall Grubb is our CEO! She, her husband, and their daughter are a military family who calls Nashville, TN home. Earning degrees in music and business administration from Belmont University, she jumps at any opportunity she gets to create something new and help bring it to life. From writing and performing music to leading TWT, she loves the power that song and story have to connect people from all walks of life!
To hear more from Lin throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!