Advent Alphabet - "Q" - "Quiet"

“Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10) In this world of busyness, struggle, sorrow, conflict and worry, what a wonderful word “quiet” is to perfectly describe the spirit and birth of Jesus. There may have been cattle about the stable lowing, as cattle do. And then the troops of heaven came praising God. It turned out to not be a very quiet night! But it was all joyful sounds. But the baby Jesus had a very quiet spirit. Throughout His life He maintained that quietness that only comes from trust in God Who He knew to be present and in control to fulfill His plan for Him. Even at the cross He was quiet when He faced His accusers (Matthew 26:63). We too can have that quietness of spirit, because wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is quietness of spirit, whether there are storms or turmoil going on about us, if we trust the God Who has a plan for us to keep us. We don’t have to be anxious about anything. Anxiety is an antonym for quiet. I Peter 3:3-4 tells the women of the worth of a gentle and quiet spirit, “Let not yours be the merely external adorning with elaborate hair styles, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; but let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up, but is very precious in the sight of God.” We are to pray for peace. We are admonished that all petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men, that we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life, one in all godliness (I Timothy 2:2). Away in a Manger (by John Thomas McFarland) Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the Little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle ‘til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there. May this blessed Christmas season be passed for you in quietness and peace!