What makes you anxious? If you look around today, that could be any number of things: an unstable economy, the political and social climate, rising costs of necessary items, war, the threat of illness, or perhaps the loss of something precious.

Scripture defines peace as harmony, peace of mind, tranquility, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favor.

In a world that is chaotic, peace seems elusive.

And yet, Peace was born into a world such as this.

When the circumstances of life begin to overwhelm, to what or whom can we look? Where do we find peace in the chaos? How do we settle our own spirits, while exemplifying a non-anxious presence for others?

What can calm the fidgeting of our souls?

Imagine Mary as she meets with Gabriel and hears his news from heaven. As a very young and unmarried woman, the thought of bearing a child (even the Christ child!) must have afforded her the opportunity to be anxious. Thinking through the many difficulties that lie ahead must have caused her to tremble with fear and anxiety.

But as the angel spoke God’s promises to her and over her, as she heard the news that her very own cousin- too old to bear a child- was expecting, as her womb cradled Shalom under her trembling heart, He settled her anxious spirit.

In a world that was anxious, Mary had peace.

In a world that is still anxious, we can have peace.

Mary welcomed Peace and gave God praise.

Where do you need to welcome Peace and give God praise?