Imagine this – just a few days until Christmas; presents are still to be bought (and wrapped!); travel time doubled with the influx of people; a full calendar of social events, and all whilst having a seasonal flu quietly singing in the background. Sound familiar?

If you’re like me, Christmas can feel a particularly chaotic time of year. Perhaps that includes navigating Christmas parties or buying presents for loved ones. I am aware that for others, Christmas may evoke old memories or bring past difficulties to the surface. Whatever your “crazy Christmas” looks like, wouldn’t it be great if we could just pause to remember what Christmas is really all about – Jesus.

We’re almost too familiar with the story of the birth of Christ, but I don’t think anyone has quite thought about the chaos of the story. Mary is heavily pregnant, they’ve travelled miles away from home to Bethlehem, Joseph cannot find a room, and she’s about to give birth any second (Luke 2 1-7) – does it sound like Christmas? Yet despite all of this, when Jesus enters the world, there is peace. He brings peace because he is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

If you’ve ever held a baby, then I am sure you will agree that it can be quite a peaceful experience (crying dependent). Which led me to think of the moment Mary would’ve held Jesus for the first time, the full weight of his body completely dependent on the strength of her arms and yet she is holding the moment that the Word became flesh (John 1:14).

Do we ever really comprehend the fact that the God of the universe loves us so much that he chose to enter the world as a baby, needing to be served by his mother? Who will continue to serve others in ministry and bring the ultimate peace at the cross? I know I certainly have not always but this is the Christmas message. It’s no wonder shepherds and wise men bowed down in worship at the sight of a baby.

So, when Christmas feels overwhelming, I’m choosing to pause and focus on Jesus, the source of true peace. What would it look like for you to choose to do the same?