Peace on Earth

We are just five sleeps before Christmas. This may be a welcome relief to some, while to others, anticipation will continually grow. Peace on Earth and Goodwill to man, seem to be lost in the consumerism of the moment. While the Christmas season advertises peace, instead turmoil is what we get. We are seeing very little peace in countries around us. Our neighbors to the south of us need some peace and goodwill at this time. The South Americas are experiencing great turbulence; and Haiti, which we are intimately connected to, is in the throws of civil unrest. There is very little peace in the Middle East, Europe, and can anyone say Brexit. These are global issues that call for peace, but what about closer to home?

Is peace in your house? Is peace in your heart? Sometimes we talk about peace without evaluating what it actually means. Peace is possible in the midst of great strife, turmoil, and chaos. Conversely, great anxiety can exist in the context of the most serene pastoral countryside where all is idyllic and tranquil. Peace has more to with what is happening internally than what is going on around us – externally. Jesus, the baby born in the middle of unrest and turmoil both for the mom and dad and within the country of Israel, grew up to impart the immortal words; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)  

How is it possible to have peace, when all around you there is fighting? This could be the kids in the rec room, or as severe as the guns in the street. John Lennon sang, give peace a chance. Good advice. Peace just might have a chance if we would stop looking for what is wrong with others, the world, or even ourselves and start looking to the one who made all things right, pure and... well peaceful. His name is Jesus. Isaiah thinking of Jesus said, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) When we put our trust in the unmovable and solid rock of God’s love, peace will be our experience. When our trust is in governments, human institutions, (no matter how worthy), or even in our ability, peace is tenuous and precarious.

Christmas reminds us each year to look to the Prince of Peace, allowing his heavenly peace to flood our hearts as we look to Him.

This Sunday, our last Sunday of advent, we will light the candle of peace. I will be sharing on the theme of Peace. May it come to us all!

 

December 20, 2019