Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)

It was not until I began preparing

 for a discussion on quietness, that I realized my prior knowledge of this topic was so very limited. I was always under the impression that quietness merely implied the absence of noise or being still. Although this is true, it appears that the half had not been told. I would learn so much more about the many gifts God has for us when we get serious about settling down. Imagine God’s quietness being packaged as a large gift-wrapped box in which many smaller gifts are contained. It is only when we make the decision to unwrap this larger gift that we are able to enjoy the other smaller, but equally important gifts. What special gifts can we expect as we unwrap God’s wonderful box of quietness?

Isaiah 30:15 states, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” What does God mean by this particular use of the word quietness? He is essentially offering us a time of repose, a time to rest and settle down. How critical this is if we are to keep Jesus as our daily focal point.

In another familiar scripture, Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” our heavenly Father is teaching us that “still” means to mend; to cause to heal; to make whole. Did you hear that? Healing! Being made whole! We’re talking spiritual medicine here!

Finally, Matthew 11:28-30 states, “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This scripture is a poignant picture of a thoroughly exhausted saint, to whom Jesus is extending an invitation of refreshment and intermission. We can clearly see that Jesus’ primary motive is to set us up for a bless-up through His incomparable “package deal.”

Although Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, I think it to be the perfect occasion for practicing God’s quiet gifts. I hope you will make a new but simple choice this Christmas: Enter into your prayer closet, and shutting the door behind you, dare to allow our Lord to lavish on you refreshment, encouragement, healing, intermission, repose, stillness, confidence, rest, and wholeness. Afterwards, you will really be able to appreciate the benefits each gift provides when you descend the mountain and re-enter the madness of life. In doing so, while others are frantically rushing around this Christmas season, you will move about as if you have it all together, and you will, because you will have made the choice to experience God’s amazing quiet gifts.

Prayer: Precious Lord, I want to thank you for your rich perspective on quietness. You have so much to give us if we would just settle down and let you re-charge our batteries. During this Christmas season, help us to be still and know that you are God. Let us practice quietness in such a way that those times will become welcomed, not only at Christmas, but also throughout the New Year. Amen.

Encouragement Tip: On separate pieces of paper, write one of the listed quiet gifts God has for you and place each in a small gift-wrapped box. During the week leading up to Christmas, select one each day and open when you enter your quiet place. Reflect on that gift for that day and see how God changes your life.