PEACE: The Second Sunday of Advent

On the heals of a recent string of violence, I can't think of a more appropriate Advent this Sunday than that of Peace.

Violence seems to be on the rise in the world.   The world mourns recent terror attacks in Paris and in the US and in the Middle East.

As the Christmas season of 2015 unfolds over the next few weeks, I think we may see further attacks.   But we must not loose our focus on the meaning of Christmas.   

We cannot loose our compulsion for Peace . We may long for vengeance, but Jesus calls for Peace.  He is the Prince of Peace, as foretold by Isaiah 9:6

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.  

We seek peace in the world, peace in our nation, peace in our communities and in our families.  But peace will only come when there is peace in our hearts.  

Not the kind of peace that our culture tries to sell,  where we must all get along and put aside our differences--which often means turning a blind eye to the evil around us-- but the kind of peace that reaches down deeply into our very soul.  

This is only possible when we have peace with God.

And that is why the Prince of Peace came to this earth as a little Babe in the manger.  He came to bring us peace, the kind that lasts for eternity, the peace that cannot be broken.  

Jesus Christ came that you and I might have peace with our Creator.  

He came to lay His body down as a bridge between us and God, 

Ensuring peace in the most important place of all, our hearts.

Much of this post was taken from this wonderful new blog I have found:  Deeper Roots