THE ADVENT – PEACE

Who has not heard of the beautiful Christmas carol, *”Hark the Herald Angels Sing?”* It is one my favourite carols. The first stanza has a certain thought running through it, which is the central theme, of all that God had been doing, since our first parents disobeyed and rebelled against God, our Creator.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

The Christmas narrative about the birth of Jesus, as found in Luke 2:10-14, is an interesting study for us, as the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ. Let us read it, to see what is so interesting about it.
– “10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:10-14

The text begins with these fascinating words “FEAR NOT! What a “strange” way to begin the announcement of the birth of the Saviour of the world? It is not strange, as I understand, but rather, a straightforward approach, to the reality of the human beings. The whole world is living in fear, because of the broken relationship with God. Do we recollect the incident, in the Garden of Eden? Genesis 3 records the meeting of Adam and Eve, with God, for the first time, after they had sinned. Here is the incident.
– “8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I HEARD THY VOICE IN THE GARDEN, AND I WAS AFRAID, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” – Genesis 3:8-10

When sin was embraced by Adam and Eve, it made the humans to be so scared of God, that they chose to hide themselves from God, with whom, just the other day, they were speaking joyfully, as one does with a friend. Fear entered the earthly realm, took its firm root, and permeated into everything, that was created by the LORD God. The relationship was broken, peace was trampled, and fear set in, to begin its reign over mankind, and the whole creation.

The LORD Jesus, who is also called “the Prince of Peace” came to break the walls of fear, and restore the broken relationship, thereby restoring the broken peace. This is why, the angelic host were singing about “peace” as the first carol, of the first Christmas.
– “13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:13

Has this peace, which the Bible calls as the “Peace that Passeth all Understanding” [Philippians 4:7] come into our hearts and lives? Does the LORD Jesus, who is called the “Prince of Peace” reign in our hearts and lives? Does the heavenly “SHALOM” – which is the peace of God – reassures and rejuvenates us, and all that concerns our lives? Is there peace in our lives? All who have Christ the Messiah in their lives, and walk faithfully and obediently, in all His ways, will surely have this peace, in their lives, despite the raging storms, and all the struggles, because the Prince of Peace is in our “boats” and He helps us navigate, through it all.
– “​1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Romans 5:1
– “27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
– “33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

May this second Sunday of the Advent season, remind us about the LORD JESUS, the Prince of Peace, who alone can, and who alone will, offer us this true peace. May we truly worship the One who is our Peace, as we meditate through this advent season. May we not ritualistically pass through these days. May we not seek the LORD, to get something, but rather, let us come to worship and adore Him, for this precious and priceless peace, which our Redeemer offered to us, freely and abundantly. O come let us adore Him!!! O come let us adore Him!??