Peace on Earth

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will

be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

People of our world are in great need of peace.  The events of these past few days, weeks, and months have been vivid reminders of how much we lack peace in our world and yet desperately desire it.  Thousands of years ago, Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born who would be our Prince of Peace.  We all need to know that Jesus, the Prince of Peace has come, wants to have a relationship with us, and make a difference in our lives.  As believers and followers of Christ, our responsibility is to take every opportunity to share God’s Good News with others so that they too can personally know Him.  Only then can there be true peace in our world. 

At the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center, as well as other times during this Christmas Season, the song “Let There be Peace on Earth” has been sung.  It is a song I remember singing in youth choir at church.  As children of God, we too are called to be peacemakers in our world.

“Let There be Peace on Earth”

Sy Miller and Jill Jackson

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God s our father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment

And live each moment

With peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me. 

During this Christmas Season and New Year, may God’s peace and favor rest upon you.  And may you share that peace with others. 

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

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:11-15 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

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

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 5:23

They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

I Peter 3:11

God with Us

                          Sandi Patty, a Christian music singer, added

this reminder to her media page last week.

                                   

Advent is here!  On the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, and then on Christmas Eve, the candles are lit, scripture is read, and prayers are offered to remind us of the reason and purpose for celebrating the coming of Jesus.  God is with us!  This time of preparation helps us remember the coming of the Christ child, live in gratitude for his presence among us today, and live in anticipation and great expectation of Jesus’ coming again.

The colors of the candles hold significance with the three purple candles representing repentance and royalty, the pink candle representing joy, and the white Christ candle signifying the pure, sinless, spotless Lamb of God.  These days of Advent, leading up to Christmas Eve, are an encouraging reminder of keeping our focus on the reason for the celebration of this season.

Sundays of Advent:

1^st –  purple “Prophecy Candle” of hope; Jeremiah 33:14-16

2^nd – purple “Bethlehem Candle” of love; Malachi 3:1-4

3^rd – pink “Shepherds Candle” of joy; Isaiah 12:2-6

4^th – purple “Angels Candle” of peace; Micah 5:2-5a

5^th – Christmas Eve the white “Christ Candle, representing the pure life of Jesus that has come into our world; Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

In this busy season, may we not lose focus of the priorities of these days and weeks leading up to Christmas.  And the great news is that not only did Jesus come as was foretold by the prophets, but He is with us today, and will come again.  May that message of hope, love, joy, and peace be one that we celebrate, believe, live out, teach, and share all year long.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Matthew 1:23

Isaiah 7:14

Holiday Priorities

I’m not sure who compiled the list above, but it seems like a great one to be reminded of often during the Christmas Season.

What a joy to be able to spend time with family during the week of Thanksgiving.  With kids and grandkids here, I knew it would be full of special times.  In addition, on Thanksgiving Day we were able to visit with some relatives we see just a few times a year, so I wanted to spend my time wisely.  For lunch, we were with over 40 people on Larry’s side of the family in Kingwood.  There were 5 generations represented, with the newest member being 2½ months old.  Thanksgiving afternoon, we went to Pasadena to spend time with some of my side of the family.  There were 13 adults and 8 kids, 5 and under, representing four generations, from 4 months to 85 years.  Three little ones were born into the family this year.  It was definitely a day of gratitude for God’s sweet blessings of family.

Times like these help me recognize what I choose to be my priorities.  Last week it didn’t matter that I didn’t read the newspaper two days in a row or wash the dishes and clean the kitchen right after a meal every time.  Ten years from now, that will not matter.  But it will be important that there was time for lemons to be picked, books to be read, songs to sing, conversations to enjoy, hugs to be given, pictures to paint, toys to be played with, a tree to decorate (and yes there are a lot of ornaments down low), lots of stories and conversations to be listened to, meals to be eaten, prayers to be prayed, typing to be done on the computer, kids to hold, and that we took time to share with others.  The cell phone stayed out of sight.  Because in ten years it will matter that our grandkids, kids, family, and friends know that they are important to us and that they are loved and treasured.

“Lord, please teach me to be wise about the ways I choose to spend my time and be intentional about the choices I make every day.”

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9