Abiding Peace
The Christmas rush is almost over. The shopping is done, the gifts have been wrapped, and we can now retreat from the world with all its consumerism, its glitzy decorations and holiday music. The world will quiet down, people will gather together with friends and loved ones and, hopefully, there will be peace for a while. Some view peace as the cessation of war among nations. The Old Testament Jews viewed peace as a living, vibrant thing that dwells within a person’s soul and body. The Hebrew word, Shalom, means, among other things, completeness, soundness and tranquility. New Testament folks view Jesus as the embodiment of peace, and he is often referred to as The Prince of Peace. The word peace means different things to different people and it is something we may never be able to fully understand. So as we kneel by the manger bed let us pray for that “Peace which passes all understanding,” the peace that strengthens us, humbles us and so fills our hearts with the love of God that we can face any hardship that comes our way
Here’s wishing all of you a blessed and peace-filled Christmas season.
lhart@gwi.net
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