It is a peaceful scene. The new fallen snow has covered the brown of earth and its grass. The falling snow creates a quietness that seems to speak to the hot trembling of mind and body. All is at rest until the scene of broken by the sounds of popular Christmas music.
Winter Wonderland[1]
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland . . .
Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Now the meadow is full of singing, the neighing of the horse, and the tracks of sleigh runners. The peace that was initially experienced is overcome. We can still have peace, even during the Christmas coconaphy of sounds.
The story is told about an art competition awarded a prize for the best expression of peace. One painting depicted a deer and a fawn grazing at the skirt of a mountain meadow rimmed with pines and cedars stretching heavenward. Another showed a cat curled up in a basket, resting with all its being, as only cats can do.
But the first prize went to the painting of a tumultuous waterfall. Torrents rushed downward, crashing on the rocks below, sending spray high above. A tree branch extended just above the mist, with a bird’s nest in a fork. Safely within were the mother bird and two babies.
That’s tranquility. The ability to relax in the most rushed circumstances. Serene surroundings don’t produce peace. The absence of animosity doesn’t. If peace depended on the setting, many could never find serenity.
Peace is being in harmony, allowing God to fit all the pieces of our lives together. As we cultivate the presence of the Holy Spirit deep down, he brings peace.[2]
Great story. Enough said.
[1] Richard Bernhard Smith and Felix Bernard
[2] Tim Riter, Deep Down (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1995), 72.