The closer the holidays get, the more the world around us paints a picture of perfect peace — Christmas cards with glowing fireplaces, sparkling mantles, idyllic families, and scenes blanketed in silent snow. But for many of us, peace feels anything but accessible this time of year.

As Tracie Miles reflects, even though Christmas cards portray a serene and simple season, the reality often feels chaotic. Children grow up, families expand, schedules clash, and gift lists triple. The magic of the holidays can shift into stress, pressure, and exhaustion. In the busyness, we may find ourselves longing to step into one of those picture-perfect cards — even if only for a moment.

Yet the peace we ache for isn’t found in a flawless holiday backdrop. It is found in Jesus.

Tracie reminds us that Christmas was intentionally simple. God could have orchestrated a majestic spectacle filled with grandeur and earthly royalty, but He chose humility instead.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
— Luke 2:14

MAIN TAKEAWAYS


Holiday “peace” portrayed by culture is often unrealistic; true peace is found in Christ alone.


Jesus’s birth was intentionally simple, modeling what real peace looks like.


Busyness and overcommitment can steal our peace and distort the meaning of Christmas.


Peace becomes accessible when we pause, pray, and refocus on Christ instead of expectations.


A simple act of love often reflects the heart of Christmas more than any holiday perfection.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES


Luke 2:14


Isaiah 9:6


John 14:27


Philippians 4:7

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear Lord,
Help me resist getting swept into the world’s version of Christmas — the pressure, the perfectionism, the pace. When chaos begins to rise in my heart and mind, convict me gently and lead me back to Your peace. Replace my to-do lists with to-love lists and keep my focus on what matters most: loving You and loving others. Teach me to embrace simplicity, the simplicity You modeled at the manger, and help me live a life that reflects Your peace — this season and always.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON


What picture of peace am I pursuing this season?
Is it shaped by cultural expectations, or by the presence of Jesus?


Where can I choose simplicity over busyness?
Saying no to an extra event? Reducing a list? Prioritizing relationships over perfection?


Who around me needs a simple act of love?
A note, a kind word, a meal, an invitation, or even a listening ear could reflect Christ’s peace more powerfully than any beautifully decorated space.

CALL TO ACTION


Subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer to stay centered on Scripture and peace throughout the season.


Explore more devotionals on LifeAudio.com to deepen your Advent reflections.


Share tonight’s prayer with someone feeling overwhelmed this holiday season.

<blockquote data-start="389" data-end="547"></blockquote>
The closer the holidays get, the more the world around us paints a picture of perfect peace &mdash; Christmas cards with glowing fireplaces, sparkling mantles, idyllic families, and scenes blanketed in silent snow. But for many of us, peace feels anything but accessible this time of year.
As Tracie Miles reflects, even though Christmas cards portray a serene and simple season, the reality often feels chaotic. Children grow up, families expand, schedules clash, and gift lists triple. The magic of the holidays can shift into stress, pressure, and exhaustion. In the busyness, we may find ourselves longing to step into one of those picture-perfect cards &mdash; even if only for a moment.
Yet the peace we ache for isn&rsquo;t found in a flawless holiday backdrop. It is found in Jesus.
Tracie reminds us that Christmas was intentionally simple. God could have orchestrated a majestic spectacle filled with grandeur and earthly royalty, but He chose humility instead.
TODAY&rsquo;S SCRIPTURE
<blockquote data-start="389" data-end="547">
&ldquo;Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.&rdquo; &mdash; <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-14.html" data-start="488" data-end="547">Luke 2:14</a>
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="2580" data-end="2583">
MAIN TAKEAWAYS
<ul data-start="2610" data-end="3074">
<li data-start="2610" data-end="2709">
Holiday &ldquo;peace&rdquo; portrayed by culture is often unrealistic; true peace is found in Christ alone.
</li>
<li data-start="2710" data-end="2790">
Jesus&rsquo;s birth was intentionally simple, modeling what real peace looks like.
</li>
<li data-start="2791" data-end="2880">
Busyness and overcommitment can steal our peace and distort the meaning of Christmas.
</li>
<li data-start="2881" data-end="2977">
Peace becomes accessible when we pause, pray, and refocus on Christ instead of expectations.
</li>
<li data-start="2978" data-end="3074">
A simple act of love often reflects the heart of Christmas more than any holiday perfection.
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="3076" data-end="3079">
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
<ul data-start="3112" data-end="3381">
<li data-start="3112" data-end="3175">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/2-14.html" data-start="3114" data-end="3173">Luke 2:14</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3176" data-end="3241">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/9-6.html" data-start="3178" data-end="3239">Isaiah 9:6</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3242" data-end="3307">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/14-27.html" data-start="3244" data-end="3305">John 14:27</a>
</li>
<li data-start="3308" data-end="3381">
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/philippians/4-7.html" data-start="3310" data-end="3381">Philippians 4:7</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr data-start="3383" data-end="3386">
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Lord, Help me resist getting swept into the world&rsquo;s version of Christmas &mdash; the pressure, the perfectionism, the pace. When chaos begins to rise in my heart and mind, convict me gently and lead me back to Your peace. Replace my to-do lists with to-love lists and keep my focus on what matters most: loving You and loving others. Teach me to embrace simplicity, the simplicity You modeled at the manger, and help me live a life that reflects Your peace &mdash; this season and always. In Jesus&rsquo; Name, Amen.
<hr data-start="3935" data-end="3938">
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
<ol data-start="3980" data-end="4462">
<li data-start="3980" data-end="4108">
What picture of peace am I pursuing this season? Is it shaped by cultural expectations, or by the presence of Jesus?
</li>
<li data-start="4110" data-end="4256">
Where can I choose simplicity over busyness? Saying no to an extra event? Reducing a list? Prioritizing relationships over perfection?
</li>
<li data-start="4258" data-end="4462">
Who around me needs a simple act of love? A note, a kind word, a meal, an invitation, or even a listening ear could reflect Christ&rsquo;s peace more powerfully than any beautifully decorated space.
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-start="4464" data-end="4467">
CALL TO ACTION
<ul data-start="4494" data-end="4761">
<li data-start="4494" data-end="4597">
Subscribe to Your Nightly Prayer to stay centered on Scripture and peace throughout the season.
</li>
<li data-start="4598" data-end="4682">
Explore more devotionals on LifeAudio.com to deepen your Advent reflections.
</li>
<li data-start="4683" data-end="4761">
Share tonight&rsquo;s prayer with someone feeling overwhelmed this holiday season.
</li>
</ul>

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

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