A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:37-41 NIV

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. Psalm 89:9 NIV

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29 NIV

In February I shared these verses in a post entitled, Why are you so afraid? I was on a cruise when I wrote, feeling the impact of the fourteen-foot waves buffeting the ship. It seemed an appropriate passage at the time.

Little did I know, all of 2020 would feel as though we were in a furious squall. There have been times this year the violence in the streets and spreading threat disease tempted me to cry out, don’t you care if we drown?

But when fears rise to overwhelm, I remember who is in our boat.

This year as Christmas approaches, I encourage you to take a closer look at the One whose birthday we celebrate.

• Jesus slept through the storm—his peace is unaffected by circumstance.
• Jesus performed miracles—his power manifests his authority.
• Jesus reassured his disciples—his word is faithful and true.

Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

He is Jesus Christ, God our Savior, who provides peace, calms our fears, and strengthens our faith.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:5-8 NIV