Every year I tell myself the same thing, I will not let myself get overly stressed this Christmas Season. I make grand promises to myself, and to others, and solemnly declare that I have learned my lesson from past experiences. And yet, like clockwork, I fall into the trap of busyness, distraction, and stress. In those moments I lose sight of the purpose behind advent, which is to celebrate the entry of Jesus into this world.
Peace is an illusive feeling for many of us this time of year. How can we even have peace when every moment of our lives is filled with some sort of event, job, distraction, or crisis. Sometimes our peace is interrupted by the actions of others or calamities beyond our control, but oftentimes they are our own creation, brought about by our own hands. In my case it is usually because I have waited until the last minute to do something, or I take a job on without asking others for help. This, in turn, leads to being overwhelmed, which leads to stress and anxiety, which leads to peace disrupted. This is of course, from the outside looking in, a mundane example. There are those among us whose peace is being disrupted by war, famine, illness, and the loss of those they love. Perhaps it is poverty that afflicts them, or worries about the future. We all know what it is like to have our lives suddenly interrupted and our peace suddenly disrupted.
But what does it actually mean when the prophet Isaiah refers to the Messiah, that we know is Jesus, as the prince of peace? The term Prince of Peace translates to the Hebrew concept known as Shalom. It goes beyond our understanding of peace signs and even the idea of peace in general. It’s this concept that essentially means life as the way it was intended. A life that is void of all distractions and fears. Sounds like paradise doesn’t it? Which is why only God can claim to bring it to us. That is, if we are willing to receive it.
The greatest peace that one can receive is the assurance that things will turn out alright in the end. When we pray for healing, when we pray for restoration, when we pray for assurance; all those prayers in their simplest form are prayers for things to turn out alright. But what if we are missing the true message of this peace if we want things to just turn out alright? What if we always expected and understood that all issues faced would be resolved with glorious results in time? Would that not bring us some peace of mind?
This promise of everlasting peace is what Jesus brings us through his entry into this world. All things will work out to the glory of almighty God, and in the end good will triumph over evil. Christ has restored humanity in relationship with our Lord and life everlasting is our promised gift. It may not be a peace that we realize in our specific issue of this moment, but it is the peace that we truly need. It is the reassurance that we truly desire, and it is the gift for all of us if we choose to accept it.
The promise of God is that he is always with us, never forsaking us or abandoning us. While this may not seem to relieve your stress at this moment, perhaps it is because we think too narrowly about what the peace of Christ truly means. It doesn’t mean that your problems and pains will dissipate instantly, what it means is that your current situation will one day be made right by God’s glorious presence. We just have to see it through to the otherside.
This Christmas Season, let the Peace of Christ into your homes and your lives. Let it wash over you and fill every aspect of your home and routine. Let the reminder of Christ’s promises shield you from the distractions and arrows of this world. Because you will have the solemn promise of Christ’s victory in the end, and life everlasting for all those who seek the Prince of Peace.
Shalom my brothers and sisters.
—
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
