Peace, Joy and Hope

Peace, joy and hope. We can write or read these words without much thought as we prepare for and celebrate Christmas. But when we experience peace, joy or hope they are moments of transformation in our lives. Often, they are times when we pause and connect deeply with other people or nature. When we experience peace, joy or hope we let go of the business and worries of life and engage fully with the moment in front of us.

Jesus came into the world to transform us through God’s love and grace. He came to bring peace, joy and hope to all people. As we look around the world, we can see what a great gift God wants us to experience. We are very blessed to live in a country free of conflict and war and where we can experience the abundance of life and nature every day. More than external experiences, through Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, we are invited to live with deep inner peace, joy and hope as forgiven and forgiving people. We are free to simply live, making the most of our opportunities to bring peace, joy and hope into the lives of other people.