In the marvelous book of Isaiah, the prophet declared the coming Messiah would be the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And, indeed, when the angels announced Jesus' birth, on that dark night as the sky exploded with light and sound, their message was "Peace on Earth..." (Luke 2:13-14).
In His first physical appearance to the disciples after His resurrection, what were the first words Jesus spoke to them? (John 20:19, 21) "Peace be with you."
And then, again, just before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus spoke of His gift of peace to His followers (John 14:25-27).
How ironic that the Advent season is often one where peace runs away from us like Forrest Gump.
I have not purchased the first Christmas present, y'all. Not.The.First. And, how many days until Christmas? My relentless Christmas plate in the kitchen declares there are merely 22.
Furthermore, my weekend upcoming is slammed and . . . there is the possibility of a winter storm brewing. Lovely.
These things are minor irritations/challenges, though, compared to those faced by several of my friends, who are dealing with the impending death of a loved one, or a serious illness, or the marital problems of a young adult child. Christmas shopping may break my purse, but it won't break my heart.
During Advent, even for those who are not "religious", personal pain/lack of peace is amplified because, well, you know, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", right? So, where's the peace?
And, what peace were the prophet, the angels and Jesus referring to?
- They certainly did not mean that Jesus' coming would bring peace among nations, at least not yet. It has not. All you have to do is look around the world to see that. Furthermore, at the root of most of the geopolitical conflicts is either a money/power grab or a conflict over whose religion is better!
- They certainly did not mean that Jesus' coming would bring peace within families either, sad to say. Jesus flat-out stated that the gospel message would divide parents from children and sibling from sibling (Luke 12:51-53).
The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
So, there it is. Do you see it?
In past Advent blog posts I have left off mentioning the "peace theme" until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day...But, this year, I want us to deeply grasp this crucial concept and remind ourselves of it amid the chaos and the noise we encounter this Advent season.
The peace that Jesus gives restores . . . making whole the individual human heart. It takes a sin-devastated heart and does a miraculous, transformative work - - leaving it spiritually well and whole. It takes a soul, separated from a holy, holy, holy God because of Adam's lasting legacy of sin, and makes that soul SO thoroughly redeemed, SO completely justified it's "just as if no sin had ever been sinned"!
This truth is eternal. For the Christian His parting gift to you, His own beloved, transcends time and circumstances.
In this Advent season (and no matter the season), Christian - - -
When you are financially depleted and anxious about those needs . . . your soul is well and whole.
When unplanned circumstances change your life's direction . . . your soul is well and whole.
When those you love betray you, leaving you abandoned and bereft . . . your soul is well and whole.
When your body becomes chronically or terminally ill . . . your soul is well and whole.
When {insert your own "whatever"} . . . your soul is well and whole.
As we move through Advent together, let's "eat dessert first". The prize of Advent is Christmas, is Jesus, our Prince of Peace. Let's defy the chronology of Advent and grab onto His beautiful peace today, with all we've got. God knows, we need it!
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