Advent: and on earth Peace...

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)

PEACE.

 

The second candle of advent is the light of peace. When the angels appear to the shepherds at night they proclaim: “and on earth peace…”. When Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, peace came into the world. Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This doesn’t mean that the world was suddenly a peaceful place. It wasn’t an instantaneous ideology of “peace on earth”. Far from it. There was a lot of unrest during Jesus’ time. But Peace dwelt among the people, and still dwells among us today. 

 

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace but also encompasses harmony, wholeness, completeness and tranquility. It refers to the complete physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of a person, with an emphasis on being at peace with God, with others and within oneself. 

 

As Christians we are saved through grace and that salvation leads to peace with God yielding an inner peace, due to the knowledge that God brings restoration and healing to us and ultimately to this world. God’s peace guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) silencing anxieties and worry, leading to wholeness and tranquility. Shalom. 

 

Peace requires us to trust in a God of peace and a God who grants us peace.

 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."(John 14:27)

 

We are also called to be peacemakers, extending peace to our neighbours and communities so that we can be at peace with one another. Shalom. To be at peace with others. This takes courage. It is also a choice. Being a peacemaker requires us to step out of our comfort zone and into challenging situations. At times it requires us to stand up against injustice. Being a peacemaker is not an easy task and it is God’s peace within us that will help bring peace and unity into the situations around us. 

 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

 

Lord, help us to be instruments of your peace. 

 

O Come Emmanuel. 

An unexpected Easter in COVID-19 times...

I am writing to you from mandatory quarantine; all is well. I am currently healthy. Spending time in isolation has given me the opportunity to reflect and although this Easter has not gone as planned, it is probably one of the more meaningful Easter’s I’ve had. 

Over the past few weeks, the following words have become all too real to people all over the world. Isolation. Chaos. Confusion. Fear. Death. Suffering. Loneliness. Pain. Hurt. Loss. Doubt. Distress. Uncertainty. Despair. We are confronted with the reality of separation, disease and death. Our world feels like it has been turned upside down. Maybe it’s not so crazy that this pandemic happens to coincide with Easter.

The moments leading up to Jesus’ death were full of turmoil. Jesus was distressed and troubled in the garden of Gethsemane. One of his very own, Judas, betrays him. Peter disowns him. Soldiers mock him. Those who pass by the cross hurl insults at him. And at noon, complete darkness fills the land. Jesus cries out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” How many of us have asked where God is in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic? The earth shook. The temple curtain split in two. Unprecedented. A day like no other.

The good news is, resurrection Sunday came. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as he said.” (Matthew 28:5-6)  Death did not hold Jesus. The darkest moment in history transformed into the greatest love story the world has ever known. Amazing grace. Through His death and resurrection, we are brought out of the darkness and into the light.  He does not promise us an easy life but He promises us a life with Him. In the middle of our current unexpected storm, He is our anchor. He is our light and our strength in these dark times. He is our peace. Hope is not lost. 

Christ is risen! Let’s rejoice today as we celebrate our Lord and Saviour – our hope and our strength! May you have a deeper awareness of His love and peace today.