Christmas

A Promise of Peace

As a young choral student, I remember singing the song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth” followed by the phrase, “and let it begin with me.”

So idealistic, yet with the utmost sincerity, I sang.

Christmas brings a promise of peace. However, that promise is based on something far more sure and absolute than the lyrics of a song.  We find one such promise of peace in the Old Testament.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, And the government will rest upon His shoulders, and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

This promise of a Prince of Peace could not have come at a better time. 

Israel needed help, specifically the nation of Judah. A nation of God’s chosen people had a history of Godless kings, weak priests, and rebellious people.

The prophet Isaiah, over the course of sixty years and four kings, was the voice of God to his people. Unfortunately, his people were constantly at war, Godless sinners, immoral and idolatrous, all of them. Isaiah specifically spoke to the tribe of Judah.

Even in the midst of such turmoil and unrest, Isaiah brought a message of hope and peace.

But peace could not come to a land with so much sin. God is holy and would not bless a sin filled nation.

No, a Prince of Peace would come, not to stop the wars, but to provide a way through them.

This Hebrew word, peace, as you might know, is “shalom.” It means “soundness, welfare, completeness.”  Currently, our English word for peace evokes a conflict free atmosphere or feeling that is fleeting, lacking the depth of the word, Shalom.   

But God, through Isaiah, revealed our Prince of Peace. It would be through Him that our spiritual peace would be complete. Our Savior, our Messiah, would bring a peace that would have no end.  

“There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace….” Isaiah 9:7

The fulfilled promise of a Prince of Peace came on a dark night, hundreds of years later, in a little town of Bethlehem.

Peace, lasting peace, can only come through Jesus.

Jesus, the Messiah, God with us, Immanuel, our Peace.

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly, there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2:12-14

Jesus, “Himself, is our peace.” Ephesians 2:14  

And here’s the key, Jesus, in spite of His humbled earthly beginnings,  brought spiritual peace, reconciling a sin filled world to a Holy God.

 Real peace is only as sure as the one who secured it.

Jesus and Jesus alone, secured our peace.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts by troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

In the middle of our hardest days, what a gift it is to know that Jesus is our peace.

When we receive Him as our Savior, we can know His peace.

Circumstances may not change, but His presence and peace will never leave us.

“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…”