"I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness. I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42: 6-7 (ESV)
In much of the Christian tradition, the fourth candle of Advent represents peace. Peace is something that we seem to be lacking quite a bit right now. I think about the people in the Middle East that are the victims of ISIS, and other victims of terrorism around the world. I think about the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and now after the events of this weekend I think about the families of two NYPD officers who were murdered in their car by a madman who used the deaths of others as an excuse to go out and live his own violent fantasies. The violence that took Brown and Garner has begotten violence that claimed the lives of those two officers, and I'd be quite surprised if that violence doesn't create more violence in it's wake.
And 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, good will to men.”
Peace is part of the essential message of Christmas. When the angels appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, it was peace and goodwill that they trumpeted as the men trembled at the site. The message was so great that not only did they rush into town to see the newborn king, but they also went around telling everyone what they had seen and heard.
It's also peace, peace and love that God promises throughout the Old Testament when foreshadowing the promised birth of his Son. As in the verses above when he speaks of "a light to the nations" and the freeing of captives. They're powerful images that are meant to send a powerful message.
But we can't forget the role we're meant to play in delivering the great message of peace on earth. We're not only meant to proclaim the peace of Christ, but we're meant to help bring it about. We're called to be examples, just as Christ was, to the world around us. I'm not sure there is more important work to be done in our day and age than to both proclaim and work for peace. If we want people to believe in our message, in Christ's message of "peace on earth among those with whom he is well pleased" we need to practice it. We need to renounce torture and violence in all it's forms, not merely when it fits our agenda to do so.
There's a lot that's wrong in our world, and a lot that's wrong in our country. Working for peace and change isn't going to be easy or even necessarily popular, but I think it must be done, and it can start with each of us, then working together, maybe something will finally, REALLY change and we can sing....
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
JOYS AND THANKSGIVING
--I've mentioned my uncle Greg a couple of times, including last week when I said that he was due for some full brain radiation cancer treatment. Well, Monday night he had another MRI and two of the three areas of concern in his brain seemed to pretty much gone and the third and newest one was reduced significantly. So now the doctors are quite pleased and they're going to hold off on further radiation, and my uncle will feel A LOT better for Christmas not having to undergo radiation therapy! I want to thank God for the progress that he's made and for the wonderful, skilled physicians and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for what they've been able to do for Greg and my family.
--My sister and my youngest nephew Caleb arrived safely from Maryland this past week. I thank God for the time I am able to spend with them and the time to get to know my little nephew.
--For the incarnation of Christ which we'll celebrate this week.
--For the blessings of redemption and grace brought by his life, death, and resurrection.
CONCERNS AND PETITIONS
--For those who will be traveling to meet family this week,
--For the families of the two NYPD officers killed this weekend
--For our country, that we can tone down the violent rhetoric and work together for peaceful, meaningful change where it is needed.
--For those who have no family, friends, or even homes this Christmas, and that God will help us be his light and his hands and feet to these most vulnerable people.
Prince of Peace,
There is much that weighs on our hearts in these days. Our newscasts seem to be one horrible story of violence, injustice, and mistrust after another. Help us realize that another world is possible and help us, give us the strength and wisdom to help bring about peace on Earth through your love, grace, and mercy.
We commend this prayer to you with the words you taught us to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
--Deliver us Lord from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day--
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
A-men
Good blog.
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