Put On Peace
Put On Peace
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-154
Someone cuts you off to take the last parking space. The line at the post office snakes out the door. You have another get together that requires you to bring food. Your kids have an additional rehearsal for their Christmas program and your Christmas cards are still sitting unaddressed right next to the unwrapped presents. At this time of year, when the Prince of Peace came into the world, it seems that the peace of Christ is very far from our hearts and our homes.
It stands out to me that the Colossians passage above starts out with the admonition to ‘put on’ the following attributes. ‘Put on’ requires action on our part. We do not come by compassion and kindness and patience and peace automatically, we must ‘put’ these on. We must ask the Holy Spirit daily to help us ‘put on’ these attributes.
During this advent season, I have been praying the following:
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.
(Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. Nouwen)
I especially need today, as this prayer so eloquently puts it, that the Holy Spirit will be upon my Christmas preparations, not only the physical, material preparations, but the preparation of my heart and spirit to receive Jesus anew and afresh this Christmas - that the Holy Spirit helps me to ‘put on’ peace.
Dear God, Help me by Your Spirit, to put on compassion, kindness, patience, and peace. Let me be more concerned with preparing my heart and spirit for Your coming rather than any worry or stress over material preparations.
Written by Reenie Peppers
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-154
Someone cuts you off to take the last parking space. The line at the post office snakes out the door. You have another get together that requires you to bring food. Your kids have an additional rehearsal for their Christmas program and your Christmas cards are still sitting unaddressed right next to the unwrapped presents. At this time of year, when the Prince of Peace came into the world, it seems that the peace of Christ is very far from our hearts and our homes.
It stands out to me that the Colossians passage above starts out with the admonition to ‘put on’ the following attributes. ‘Put on’ requires action on our part. We do not come by compassion and kindness and patience and peace automatically, we must ‘put’ these on. We must ask the Holy Spirit daily to help us ‘put on’ these attributes.
During this advent season, I have been praying the following:
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.
(Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. Nouwen)
I especially need today, as this prayer so eloquently puts it, that the Holy Spirit will be upon my Christmas preparations, not only the physical, material preparations, but the preparation of my heart and spirit to receive Jesus anew and afresh this Christmas - that the Holy Spirit helps me to ‘put on’ peace.
Dear God, Help me by Your Spirit, to put on compassion, kindness, patience, and peace. Let me be more concerned with preparing my heart and spirit for Your coming rather than any worry or stress over material preparations.
Written by Reenie Peppers
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