The cumulative headlines of recent weeks are unsettling indeed…“Missouri Governor Declares State of Emergency in Ferguson,” “Obama-care’s Unwelcome Surprise,” “Palestinians Kill 4 in Jerusalem Synagogue Attack,” “Doctor with Ebola Dies at Nebraska Hospital,” “5 Shot Dead in Philly Suburbs”…Everything we read and most everything we hear from day to day seems to have a negative tone. Disappointment, conflict, violence and death are pervasive as we live and move and have our being in a fallen world. And it all contributes to feelings of frustration and anxiety. It’s hard not to be ‘drained.’ We long for and pray for peace!
And the reality is that we will never experience lasting peace in this world until Jesus Christ, who came to bring “peace on earth, good will to men,” comes again. But the good news is that because of the first coming of Jesus we can have peace in our hearts. Twenty-one centuries ago a birth cry was heard in a little town called Bethlehem. A this birth cry meant the maker of the sun would walk under its rays, the creator of planet earth would live upon it, the designer of the human body would be bound to one for a little over three decades. And because Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, came on Christmas…true peace is ours. In Him we have peace in the midst of chaos and turmoil, whether it is personal or national or global. Christmas is all about peace!
John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” [NLT]
Pray with me… Father God, we bow in Your presence with grateful hearts in this special season when we remember that Jesus came as the supreme expression of your limitless love for us. And He said, “Peace I give you, My peace I give you.” It is a peace that passes all understanding and we praise you from our hearts for it. In the name of Jesus… amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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