What is fragile and yet able to provide fortitude when life tragically shifts?
One of Jocelyn’s treasured, seasonal decorations came to a swift end. Jocelyn picked it up to dust and it fell to pieces in her hand. Fifteen Christmases ago, a friend cut the word PEACE out of half-inch-thick pinewood using his jigsaw. Time and air dried out the wood until it lost its strength and fell apart. 
Real Peace
Peace is fragile.
Peace is also precious. It comes at a price… the lives of others.
In every country where there is peace, people died to win it and preserve it.
Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to bring peace. Jesus gave his life to give us shalom,.
On December 22, 2025, a pastor friend of ours was conscripted into the Ukrainian army. The aggressive conscription of Ukrainian men compounds the heartache of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He was taken by his comrades. Religious leaders of his stature have been exempted from conscription because of the valuable service they afford their communities. He was a pastor to pastors, responsible for over twenty churches in his region as well as his own congregation. The war has pushed Ukraine to its limits. Troops on the frontlines are exhausted and wearing thin. We hear this from the Ukrainian chaplains we work with.
Our friend was taken off the street and secreted away to an undisclosed location. On Christmas Day he sent out this message to his pastors and congregations. It’s the perfect example of shalom.
Christmas Peace
“Peace to you, brothers and sisters…today we celebrate Christmas.
Someone celebrates in…
bright colours…and at the festive table…with family in their own home…thanking God for everything.
a dark room…because the lights were turned off.
a shelter…because the air raid warning continues.
someone else’s house…or even in a foreign country.
a hospital…overcoming illness…or recovering from injury.
a position…defending Ukraine.
We are all united by hope whose name is Jesus.
Today for most of us a very dark night continues but I believe in the words which on Christmas night the angels proclaimed that the Savior was born. PEACE ON EARTH.
I want to repeat the words of hope after them…Peace to you, brothers and sisters…the night is ending…and we will see when the Sun of Truth rises and healing in His rays.
Merry Christmas to you my dear friends.
I love you…and hug you! 💛💙”
Restored Peace
That’s the voice of shalom.
You can know this fortitude that allows you to be at peace even when life radically shifts.
God promises peace to each one who trusts and is confident in Him.
Peace restored
Jocelyn’s wooden treasure was restored with glue, pressure, time, and TLC. God’s peace will restore you. Ask. Wait. Trust. God is for you.
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