An Unexpected Gift - December 22, 2024

I had a wonderful visit with my sister yesterday and we enjoyed having lunch and conversation in her wonderfully decorated home.    After we ate, she brought out a few pieces of note paper with small cursive handwriting, which was not very legible but was familiar.  She told me she found them in our Aunt Cathy’s bible.  Our aunt passed away in 2011, yet her faith in God and love for us was always a constant presence in our lives.

My sister gave me the notes and asked me to read them out loud.  As I was reading, I was struck by how appropriate her message was for us during this time of Advent as we are preparing for the birth of our Lord and Savior.  She is speaking of PEACE.

“Through our faith, His victory is also our victory, the cares and concerns of this life have no further hold on us and we become heirs to His blessed gift of PEACE. 

 We live in a real world.  His peace does not eliminate suffering and sadness, but the PEACE of Christ can give each of us an underlying serenity and strength to not only weather life’s heartaches, but to also transform them into opportunities in which we can express our deepest faith and confidence of God.” -CT Liotta

 During these busy weeks of shopping and party going, it is sometimes difficult to find those moments of peace.  It seems we search for them as best as we can, just as we search for the perfect gifts for the loved ones on our list.

“For surely our worries stand in the way of the PEACE he promised.  With trust then, we should release into His hands our strife and sorrow, our sickness and suffering, our frustration and fears.

 He may give some of them back but not without His blessed PEACE and not without His abundant graces.”    -CT Liotta

God’s perfect gift of PEACE is always here for us.  We can miss it if we are not paying attention.  Sometimes it takes a voice from a loved one who has left this world to remind us. 

What a gift I have received this Christmas! I hope Aunt Cathy knows the lasting impact her unshakeable faith and inspired words have been a light to guide me through this holy season and beyond.