“Peace, be still!” That verse from Mark 4:39 plays over and over in my mind. Between household chores, family gatherings and travel, my mind is spinning. It seems that our family hasn’t slowed down since before Thanksgiving, when we went to my mother-in-law’s house in Louisiana. I’ve dealt with business trips, sleep apnea, nausea and lots of blood tests. My family has had illnesses and doctors’ appointments and my husband has even had two minor surgeries. My nephew has had two grand mal seizures recently, my niece has strep and my elderly parents are ill, too. This on top of the normal, frazzled holiday hustle and bustle. 

And yet, in the middle of it all, I hear “Peace, be still!”

Soon, my family will be sitting down to a turkey feast with all the trimmings at my parent’s — or sister’s — house. They haven’t decided yet and that indecision makes me uneasy, too. But is it really a time for unrest?

No, certainly not. Now is the time to remember that my Heavenly Father sent His Son to the world in the form of a baby boy Who would change it forever. This baby boy, who cried, was fed, needed diapers changed and took naps, was the Savior of the world — a stunning thought to this mother of four. Not only so, but He was the One Who later commanded the storm to stop. The One Who said, “Peace, be still!” Is it too much to think that He says it still?

The Christ child, Who later grew up to speak those words, knows all of us now. He knows that we worry about whether the turkey is dry or there are enough chairs for all who come to join the Christmas meal. Or whether we will be exposed to illness. Or our flight will be canceled. Or, well, the list can go on. 

And yet — “Peace, be still!” hangs in the air. He still commands our hearts to be calm and our minds to remember. We celebrate His birth, God’s entrance into our world. Not to just be a part of us, but for us to be a part of Him, welcoming Him into our hearts, accepting his sacrifice later on the cross and rejoicing in His resurrection, which joins us to Him forever and ever. Where peace will have no end. 

As I ready my family to celebrate the most joyous birth of all, mindful of the joyous births of my own children, I embrace His peace. Still my heart, Jesus. And let me remember that you were born for me, too. 

Watch “Peace Be Still” by Hope Darst: 

Nancy Flory, Ph.D., is a senior editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.