Peace On Earth
2003 Advent Devotional Collection
Thursday, December 25
Reading for Today: John 14:15-29
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.” John 14:27
“Peace on earth – good will to men” –
a seemingly impossible goal to achieve, or is it? When asked what peace
is, there is probably a vast majority that would say, “Peace is when
there is no war or strife anywhere in the whole wide world;” and
that would be correct in terms of earthly conditions. However, there is
something else to consider when we think of what peace really is. The
Hebrew word for peace is shalom. That word describes the true meaning
of spiritual peace. It is a feeling and true belief that all is right
between an individual and God; an inner peace that passes all understanding.
(Phil. 4-7)
Let us think for a moment about Mary and Joseph when there
was no room for them in the inn. They did not cause an ugly disturbance,
but found a manger in a stable for the Son of God to come into the world.
They certainly had an inner peace, confident that God would help them
in their extreme situation. Mary delivered a tiny baby into the world,
who was destined to be the long-expected Messiah, the Son of God and the
Savior of the world, who would free the people from the bondage of the
Roman rulers. When he was born, only some shepherds and a few wise men
came to find him and to worship him. They believed and inner peace surely
filled their hearts.
It has come to pass in our day that people still yearn for
freedom from bondage – the bondage of sin, lust, greed and power.
We who know the story of the Bible about the babe born in a manger in
Bethlehem, believe he is indeed the Promised One. He has set us free.
With joy and gratefulness, we come and worship him, and believe and have
inner peace.
It will come to pass in the fullness of time that he who was born on that first Christmas day will come again. His light will overcome all darkness and forever destroy all evil. God promises there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, crying or pain for all who are ready for him to come again. This Christmas let all who believe, come and truly worship, and have inner peace.
Prayer for Today: O God, hasten the day when all thy people
will believe and confess the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and
find that true inner peace.
In the name of thy Son we pray. Amen.
Roe C. S.
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336