Peace on Earth

Now that we’re just days away from Christmas (and our 4 Christmas Eve services) I’m realizing more than ever how much I NEED to just slow down and reflect. To “be still and know” (Ps. 46:10). But the idea of slowing down just doesn’t come naturally for me – if anything I find myself looking for the next task or project to be done. I can begin to feel anxious when I haven’t crossed something off my Outlook tasks list. I know, I need help.

For some of us the Christmas season can feel like one big “to-do” list – get the right gifts, decorate the house just so, write a meaningful Christmas letter, stock the fridge, prepare for family gatherings. The mere rattling off of that list may have raised your blood pressure. For those of us involved in music ministry there’s the added dimension of perfecting our seasonal arrangements, worship sets and specials. We begin to suffer Christmas Carol Fatigue Syndrome (CCFS) way before December the 25th. I find that as I strive to arrange and orchestrate everything so that things are “just right” I experience less and less peace.

So it is in the slowing down that I encounter the Prince of Peace. The One who not only brings peace, makes peace, but is Peace himself.

• Jesus makes peace with God possible.
  Our greatest need for peace is with God. The clearest statement on this is found in Romans 5, where Paul says “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.1). Each of us were, by nature, enemies of God – “deserving of wrath” as Paul says in Eph. 2:3 – corrupted by sin and living as rebels. We were under God’s righteous judgment, alienated because of sin. But through Jesus we can be reconciled. His atoning sacrifice made it possible for God to be both just and merciful. ‘The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).


• Jesus makes peace with each other possible.
  Think of the Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells” and some of the lyrics – “In despair I bowed my head/There is no peace on earth I said/For hate is strong and mocks the song/Of peace on earth goodwill to me”. There is conflict all around us – both locally and globally. But Jesus came to undo the cycle of violence and hatred; he inaugurated a new kingdom of peace, and created a "new humanity" (see Ephesians 2:14-17) where Jews and Gentiles (in other words, every tribe, tongue) live together as brothers and sisters. We no longer think of ourselves first as this nationality, or ethnicity, or members of a particular socio-political class. We are Christ-followers. And because this is our PRIMARY identity we are ourselves reconcilers, bringing his shalom (reign of peace) into our communities.
  
• Jesus makes peace within possible
  Because he has taken care of our greatest need - reconciliation with the Father by making payment for our sins - Jesus makes peace within our souls a new reality. Listen to these promises from Jesus to us:

"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 be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

As I think about the ways in which Jesus truly is my Prince of Peace my soul finds rest. My prayer is that each of us experience the peace of Christ in this Christmas season. It's never too late to take time to reflect - and even in the midst of the busy-ness, to remember the promise and reality of peace.

Take a few minutes to listen to the song "Peace on Earth" by Chris Rice. He beautifully captures the three ways Jesus makes "peace on earth" possible.

Peace on Earth

Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Did the angels waste their words?
Everywhere, raise this prayer
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth

Peace with God
Peace with God
Offered through one holy child
Even when this life is hard
There can be peace with God
There can be peace with God

Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Did the angels waste their words
Everywhere, raise this prayer
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth

Peace within
Peace within
Where true peace on earth begins
Every heart finding Him
Has perfect peace within
Finds perfect peace within

Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Did the angels waste their words?
Everywhere,
raise this prayer
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth