Most of us are familiar with the Christmas story and how Jesus entered the world.  The Jews had been waiting for the Messiah for so long, some had begun to lose hope.  The reading of his arrival into a cold manger in Bethlehem can be a tradition that helps us feel Jesus’s sweet presence.  The full reading is wonderfully recited in the Peanuts Christmas Story by Linus. Seriously, it can bring one to tears.  Wisdom teachings are everywhere!  One of my favorite verses from this story is Luke 2:13-14- Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.  Such excitement must have filled the shepherds who received this almost unbelievable message. Indeed, God’s favor surely rested on these men, considered poor and destitute to others at this time.  Similarly, Jesus brings peace beyond understanding even now to all of those that choose him.

There are so many Bible verses that speak of this peace.  The first that comes to my mind and heart is from John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  Can you just hear Jesus whisper this over your weary soul?  I think Jesus knew that our lives would not be easy so he tried to prepare us to take refuge in him.  He speaks again about this here:  I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33.   Again, Jesus alludes to the fact that our peace can be found in him despite the turbulence of the world. 

The peace that Jesus speak of reminds me of a canvas with no paint on it yet, the spacious quality found in nature or the loving awareness/ the witness perspective talked about in the Buddhist tradition. Peace is often linked to the quality of equanimity in Buddhism.  Equanimity is like santosha or contentment, one of the ethical precepts in yoga called the niyamas.  Santosha or contentment doesn’t mean we abide in a blissful state of ‘contentment’ always, conversely it means we make peace with whatever arises.  We continually come back to the calm clear awareness simply by noticing emotions and thoughts arising without overly reacting to them.  This takes work!  But if we take a Christian tilt to our yoga, which I find so much joy in! we see that Jesus provides this baseline of peace.  Because Jesus is compassionate and does not seek perfect souls to walk with him, we can relax into this knowing that we are loved and Jesus wants this peace for us, as he expresses many times. 

Recently I was rereading The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield, a book that speaks eloquently of timeless truths that bring peace to those that simple step on the path or remember who they are in God.  Jack Kornfied says this “The world we live in is a temple (as are we) and the miraculous light of the first star is shining though it at all time.  In place of original sin, we celebrate original goodness.  St Teresa of Avila explains, ‘God does not desire the soul to undertake any labor, but only take delight in the first fragrance of the flowers…the soul can obtain sufficient nourishment form its own garden’.  So beautiful!  This whispers to me of the peace of Jesus shining through eternity, we acknowledge him and we take his nourishment everywhere.  I have heard it said that we all have a piece of eternity within our hearts, and this is what keeps us seeking and to be filled by God. 

There may be trials but Jesus continually asks us to turn to him for renewal, expressed here by Paul in Philippians.   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus- Phil. 4:6-7.   This verse is a reminder to put on the coat of Christ every day, to take our faith everywhere and know even on the darkest days the ‘first star’ is shining through us.

Peace as equanimity which is defined as mental stability or a calm mental and emotional state is a tool, a skill enhanced by practices such as mediation, yoga and mindful living but this can be enhanced through faith.  The celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas reminds us of the best gifts ‘given’ at Christmas have already been freely given by Jesus and truly live within us.  Sometimes we forget, we are human.  Luckily there are reminders everywhere, within and without. 

 Jack Kornfiled reminds us of this “True peace (equanimity) is not indifferent or emotional resignation, it is the still point, the living reality of the present.  This dynamic stillness is as Buddhist Dipama Barua expresses is ‘where consciousness becomes a symphony of loving-kindness in a silent ocean of equanimity’. Blending these wisdom traditions together adds nuance and texture and helps me personally find more peace in this world. You see there are wisdom teachers everywhere.   I sense the ‘symphony of loving kindness’ as the outward expression of Jesus in us, Him as the ‘silent ocean of equanimity.’  During this Advent season and always, I hope you find some silence, some time just for you to truly sense the peace that only Jesus can grant, hold it in your heart like Mary, But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. – Luke 2:20, as she silently beheld the miracle of holding the son of God in her arms. 

Consider joining me in this yoga practice to embody peace.