The holidays bring countless demands: shopping, baking, parties, and the pressure of perfection. For many of us, the mental load becomes overwhelming - deciding on presents, scheduling nights to look at Christmas lights, and coordinating holiday gatherings. Peace can feel like an elusive dream amid such hustle and bustle. Yet Jesus promises us a peace that surpasses all understanding. He acknowledges that while we will face hardships in this world, He has already overcome the world.

One of my favorite hymns is Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. It proclaims, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” In His presence, chaos fades, and His peace grounds us amid the season's busyness. His arrival at Christmas is more than a historical event. It’s a declaration of true peace - not the temporary peace the world offers, but a deep, abiding presence that remains steadfast through life's storms. As we navigate the whirlwind of the holiday season, it's easy to forget this peace, however, the key to experiencing it isn't in changing our external circumstances; it's in turning our eyes to Jesus. So, in this Advent season, when life feels especially overwhelming, let us remember to turn our gaze away from the things of this world and allow His presence to quiet our hearts.

In stressful moments, I like to do a simple breath prayer. For three minutes, I turn my phone off and breathe in the peace Jesus offers. I practice the 4-4-4 method, where I inhale for four seconds, hold my breath for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. In the inhale say, “Come to me all who are weary” and on the exhale say, “I will give you rest”. Let this practice become a part of your rhythm during Advent. You may find that, as you take these small moments to focus on Him, the peace He offers becomes a constant companion in your day-to-day life.