The Peace Covering

            “For to us a son is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” *

           

When our two young grandsons came to spend the night early in December, they helped set up and decorate the Christmas tree. They also carried several boxes of decorations upstairs from the basement, which was greatly appreciated by their grandparents! With their help, good progress was made in transforming the house with the colors of red and green, twinkling lights, nativity sets and other familiar mementos reminding us of Christ’s birth. 

            Afterwards, Al and the boys sat on the couch quietly watching TV. Just as I opened the door to the sunroom to let one of our dogs out, there was a screech of a wild animal from the television set. This startled both dogs, causing the golden retriever to suddenly turn on the little black lab. I stood by watching helplessly as Teddy, the retriever, began snapping and snarling at the smaller dog.

            The peace of the evening was shattered, with both dogs fully involved in a fight. When the lab, TJ, finally laid down and rolled over signifying submission the battle was over. Teddy went outside to cool down while I checked TJ for wounds. No blood, that was good. Teddy seemed to be fine as well. We four humans were the only ones shaken up by the event. Yikes!

            When it was time for the boys to go to bed, they wanted to play and began wrestling with each other. Both dogs had calmed down…now it was their turn! How were they going to calm down enough to go to sleep? Then I had an idea.

“Why don’t you read to the dogs?” I suggested.

Only the older grandson, Nate, was interested. Grabbing one of the antique story books belonging to Al as a child, Nate went out to the sunroom to read. When I glanced in to see how Nate was doing, Teddy was stretched out on the carpet beside him; but the lab had curled up in a tight ball on his pillow, probably still traumatized from the unexpected attack.

Nate said he was cold so I draped a small flannel Christmas blanket over his shoulders while he bent over the book, reading “Cinderella” to Teddy and TJ. Seeing Nate covered in the red and green blanket reminded me of the Christmas eve that I spent sitting in a hotel while Al was in a nearby hospital recovering from back surgery.

The blanket was a gift from a dear friend who wanted to make sure that I was warm and cozy during the time Al was in the hospital. When she heard that he would be having surgery just before the holiday she presented us with a basket containing a mug, hot chocolate and the flannel throw.

Al and I both hoped that he would be released to go home. Spending Christmas day in the hospital would be sad! However, I felt a sense of peace as I sat thinking, covered up with the blanket. It was soft and warm, and along with the hot chocolate helped console me during that long evening. When Al was released the next afternoon, we were both so grateful. That was a special gift too!

After finishing the story, Nate went straight to bed and the house was soon very quiet. Later I happened to look in their room. Both dogs were sleeping on their pillows. TJ was still in a ball, wrapped up in his blue Detroit Tigers blanket.

Teddy is usually just fine without being covered up; however, Nate had put the red and green Christmas blanket over him. I had to laugh at the sight. Oh my! Such a different scene than a couple of hours earlier. It seemed appropriate that he should be wrapped up in that special blanket… for one night anyway.

“Sleep in peace, dear Teddy. Sleep in peace, dear TJ.” Then off to bed I went.

May our hearts be filled with the peace of Christ as we celebrate His birth and yearn for the day of His return when He will reign over all the earth with righteousness, truth, justice and peace.

Come soon, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace!

* Isaiah 9:6-7a NIV