You know, one of the most beloved Christmas carols we sing every year is Silent Night.
It was written in 1816 by a young priest in Austria named Joseph Mohr. Now, this was right after the Napoleonic wars — the nation was exhausted, worn out, and divided. And one cold winter night, Mohr went for a walk through his little village. Everything was covered in white snow. It was quiet. Peaceful. Still.
As he looked out over that frozen town, he was struck by the beauty of the silence. After all the noise of war, here was peace. That night inspired the song we still sing today:
“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…”
He literally experienced a silent and holy night.
In the hustle and bustle of the season, it is easy to forget the possibility for our lives at Christmas and all year!
And I think, deep down, that’s what our hearts are longing for too — not just at Christmas, but all year long. A moment of peace. A breath of calm. A reminder that God is still with us.
But let’s be honest …life doesn’t always feel “silent” or “holy.” It feels loud, chaotic, and fast.
Our schedules are full, our minds are racing, and our world seems to be getting more and more tumultuous by the minute.
Yet right into that chaos, God still whispers the same invitation He gave long ago:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
That’s what we’re going to talk about today…. how to find peace in a noisy world.
Psalm 46:1–3
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
This Psalm was written some 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
And yet, it perfectly captures the heart of Christmas.
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
This is the message of Christmas.
When we were helpless and weak, God showed up — not as a warrior or a king, but as a baby in a manger.
That baby was, and still is, our refuge and strength.
I love that phrase: “a very present help”
It reminds us that God didn’t just show up once in history — He keeps showing up.
He didn’t just come to earth and leave; He came to stay.
That’s what Emmanuel means — God with us.
And not only is He present, He’s the best present you’ll ever receive.
He’s the gift that keeps on giving — forgiveness, grace, peace, eternal life.
So when life gets turbulent, when the waters roar and the mountains shake, we can say confidently:
“I will not fear, because God is my refuge and my strength.”
God’s Presence Brings Peace
Psalm 46:4-6
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
This image of a river is powerful. Think about how peaceful it feels to sit beside a river — to hear the water flowing, steady and strong.
Science even tells us that running water reduces stress more than silence or music.*
That’s the picture here.
The river represents God’s peace….steady, life-giving, and unshakable.
Even when nations rage and kingdoms fall, God’s presence flows right through the chaos.
Listen to me…. the peace of God isn’t the absence of noise; it’s the presence of Jesus.
You can have peace in the middle of the storm because the Prince of Peace lives in you.
You don’t need to chase peace; you need to stay connected to the Source of it.
God Invites Us to Be Still
Psalm 46:10,11 ends this way:
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress
This is God speaking directly to us.
He says, “Be still.”
Now, that’s not easy, is it? Our lives are loud. We’ve got things to do, people to see, notifications to answer. Stillness feels impossible.
But when God says “Be still,” He’s not just telling us to stop moving — He’s calling us to start trusting, He’s saying come be with me! It’s not about inactivity; it’s about surrender.
Being still says, “God, I don’t have to fix everything. I trust You to be God.”
Remember that moment in the Gospels when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples?
The storm was raging. They thought they were going to die.
And Jesus, calm as can be, stood up and said to the wind and the waves, “Be still!”
And the storm listened.
Ladies and gentlemen, the same voice that calmed the storm on that sea is still speaking peace into your storm today. When He says “Be still,” He’s not just talking to the wind…..He’s talking to your heart.
The Lord Almighty is with us!
The Psalm repeats this refrain twice:
“The Lord of hosts (Almighty) is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
It’s as if the writer wants to make sure we don’t forget it.
That’s the promise of Christmas…. God is with us.
He’s with you in the chaos.
He’s with you in the silence.
He’s with you in the questions and in the waiting.
You’re not alone.
And when you know that — when you really know that — you can be still, even when the world isn’t.
So how do we find a silent night in a world that’s anything but silent?
We choose stillness.
We choose to trust God’s presence more than our problems.
We choose to let go of control and hold on to His peace.
This week, I want to challenge you:
Take five minutes a day — no music, no phone, no distractions — and just sit with God.
Be still.
Let Him quiet your heart.
And as you do, you’ll discover what the shepherds discovered that first Christmas night — that even in the darkest, noisiest world, there is peace for those who seek His presence.
Because the Lord Almighty is with us. And that changes everything.
*Research (only on the app) about the science behind the peace that comes from running water is here….
Does Running Water Reduce Stress More Than Silence or Music?
Research supports the idea that sounds of running water can significantly reduce stress, sometimes more effectively than silence or music. The calming effects of natural water sounds, like trickling streams or ocean waves, have been well documented, showing their benefits for mental health.
Benefits of Running Water Sounds
- Physiological Effects: Natural sounds, including running water, trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and lowers stress hormones like cortisol. Listening to these sounds has been linked with decreased anxiety and enhanced feelings of calmness.
- Mindfulness and Concentration: The dynamic nature of running water helps to focus attention and encourages a meditative state, allowing individuals to become more mindful and present. This contrasts with the often rigid or jarring experience of silence or music, which may not engage the mind in the same way.
- Sensory Engagement: Water sounds activate multiple senses, making the experience immersive. The combination of visual elements and auditory experiences from water can evoke feelings of nostalgia and tranquility, enhancing psychological well-being.
Comparison with Silence and Music
- Silence can be beneficial for mindfulness but may also lead to increased anxiety for some individuals. It doesn’t provide the sensory engagement that natural sounds do, which can leave some people feeling unsettled.
- Music, especially soothing genres like classical or ambient, also lowers stress. However, users’ specific preferences for music can influence the level of relaxation achieved. Not all music has the same calming effect, and for some, it can be a distraction rather than a soothing element.
Research Findings
Studies indicate that natural sounds, such as those from water, promote a reduction in stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of well-being. One notable study found that listening to nature sounds led to changes in brain connectivity that suggest distraction from anxious thoughts, contrasting with artificial sounds that can raise stress levels.
The evidence suggests that while both silence and music can be helpful, natural sounds from running water may have unique benefits for reducing stress and enhancing relaxation. If you’re looking for effective ways to unwind, immersing yourself in environments featuring running water can be especially therapeutic.