by Anna Haiar

A Heart Ready for Advent

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 English Standard Version

The day after Thanksgiving always feels a little strange, doesn’t it? Yesterday the table was full—food, laughter, stories, and people we love. Today the dishwasher is humming, the leftovers are stacked in the fridge, and the world is already shouting, “Hurry up! Christmas is coming!” It’s amazing how quickly we can go from feeling full to feeling overwhelmed.

Maybe that’s why I love Paul’s reminder in Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” It’s such a gentle verse, but it carries a powerful shift in perspective. We often think peace comes when our to-do lists shrink, our homes settle, and the season slows down. But Paul tells us something different: peace isn’t something we create; it’s something Christ gives. And thankfulness isn’t a holiday; it’s a posture.

Even in the rush of the Christmas season, we can carry the fullness of Thanksgiving with us—not the feeling after a big meal, but the deeper fullness that comes from knowing Christ holds all things together, including our hearts. When the calendar fills up and the pressure sneaks in, we get to pause and remember that the One who fed multitudes, calmed storms, and carried a cross is the same One who carries us.

So today, instead of rushing into the frenzy, what if we slowed just enough to notice the peace we’ve already been given? What if we let gratitude stretch a little further than a single Thursday in November? What if we allowed the peace of Christ—not busyness, not expectations, not the noise of the season—to rule in our hearts?

Your home may look different today than it did yesterday. The table is cleared, the dishes are washed, and life is picking up its usual pace. But Christ’s peace remains. And in Him, you are already more than enough.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO