Peace Himself

Don’t you just hate pretenders!  How disappointing to feel totally comfortable with someone only to learn they aren’t real.  When Mr. Bill’s dad retired from the air force and Bill joined the youth group at church, us teenagers didn’t know what to make of hm.  When we got past the kinky hair and goofy glasses, we found he wasn’t so bad.  Also, it helped he had a cool car!

 

The Prophet Isaiah introduced The Messiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (9:6).  Today, words are cheap and easy: promises are spoken then forgotten, and yes doesn’t really mean yes.  There is One Who is all and more.  He is The Word – “In the beginning was The Word and The Word was with God, and The Word was God … And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father, full of Grace and Truth.” (John 1, 14).  The Word’s words are never passing or trivial, through Them He offers complete rest for the human soul.  He is not peace-like or like peace -- He IS Peace – Peace Himself.  Scientists tell us at the center of a strong tropical storm is calm weather, even clear skies – the eye.  You think the mall is nuts right now?  Bethlehem was crazy with the census at the time of Jesus’ birth.  Joseph and Mary didn’t just need a room – they needed peace.  That’s exactly what arrived in that small-yet-wild town, and just as Isaiah said, The Prince of Peace came to fulfill His words “Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you” (John 14:27).  I shared this with a friend just a few minutes ago: why not crawl up into the manger and find Peace Himself waiting to settle your spirit with His Spirit.  I’m sure we’ll find it the sweetest of places of to be this Season … and beyond.