The Journey...PEACE

As the season of advent continues, we are brought to the second candle of the wreath, PEACE. This candle is also referred to as the Bethlehem candle. With this in mind, I was meditating on the journey to Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph would have taken. To think of this arduous 65 mile journey in the last weeks of pregnancy really highlights devotion that Mary had to her God. This journey had to be one of faith and commitment. One of understanding and grace. 

In reading the passage from Luke, I was reminded of a journey my wife and I took when she was pregnant to Washington DC. No, we did not walk there. We drove to the Kennedy Center to see "The Lion King". Before the show, I wanted to take her to dinner. According to MapQuest (our son is now 15, so technology was limited) the restaurant was just a few short blocks. An hour later, with a pregnant wife in heels, we ended up a pub. Not the original destination, but one that fed us. We were able to get back to the Kennedy Center in time for the show. I knew how hard it was on my wife to walk that distance up hill and dale while 6 months pregnant--I cannot imagine how it must have been for Mary. 

As I thought about this, I saw parallels to my own journey that I am on. Though hiking through life is not the same as traveling 8-10 days by foot (and donkey) over a course of 65 miles, the symbolism is there. In this past week we spent an hour or so out in the field looking for a Christmas tree. For me, the perfect Christmas tree is a pine tree, shaped like a narrow triangle. We walked passed dozens of tree that were too short, too fat, too this and too that. I searched high and low, as I always do, for that perfect tree. Getting flustered, I missed out in the peace of the moment. To be out in nature, walking the field on the hill side. I paused to see my children getting along--taking turns to pull the empty sled for tree. Watching my oldest son pull my youngest in the tree sled. I savored that fact that my parents came with us to enjoy this moment. The weather was dry and cool. We left the field without a tree, but did find one that they had already cut. In the end, I loaded that "perfect tree" up on the roof and my 15 year old offered to help me tie it on. I milestone moment. I was taken back to all the years I watched my dad do the same thing. I could hear him explaining how to make the knots and secure the tree. 

I was also reminded of another journey, 21 years ago, to college. I loaded my car with all of the essentials (and many of the nonessentials) and made the journey to Frostburg State. My dad game me a leather key chain with a fish on it and a piece of scrimshaw that had been my Paw-Paw's. We had to attach a few things to the roof and he game a long piece of cotton rope to tie it on. He explained how to do it and what knots to use. He also said "a good piece of rope is an important tool. No need to cut it if you know how to tie it and tuck the extra in the door." That rope has followed me for 21 years. I use it every time we get a Christmas tree or need to pack for vacation. I could invest in modern bungee cords or straps, but there is a certain peace that comes with the cotton rope. A familiarity in it all. 

Like the Christmas tree, the rope is made of a natural resource--cotton. The best things are those we can take from nature and use to guide us along our way. In Genesis it says, that all things were made for man's use--do we use them wisely. I would say a piece of rope that I know is older than 21 years is one way I am reminded to care for the things that the Earth gives us. Creation brings peace to those who are struggling.