Peace Proclaimed!

December 5th, 2022

To have hope without peace will leave us with mere wishful thinking. However, Advent does not leave us with just hope. It does not simply ask us to hope that everything is going to make sense in the end. The second week of Advent declares to the one that is hopeful an assurance that God is for us. He is not only for us but He alone offers a peace that is beyond our understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Why? Because He is the initiator, maintainer, and giver of a peace this world cannot give. (John 14:27) Isaiah even called him the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This Prince of Peace was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah during a time when God’s people were hopeless, overwhelmed by a tyrannical oppressor, lacking peace and joy. They were captive, abused, mistreated, and malnourished for food as well as the Word of God. They were desperate. In times of apparent oppression and desperation we need to hear Zechariah’s prophecy (Zechariah 9:9-10).

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Did you notice it says, “He will proclaim peace to the nations”? Not peace for the nations, but peace to the nations. Advent declares with the coming, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved and have peace with God.(Romans 10:13; 5:1) He is our righteousness!(2 Corinthians 5:21)

This is the same message the shepherds herd on the night when they were outside of Bethlehem tending their flocks. Sometime in the middle of the night’s darkness an angelic heavenly choir appeared to them singing the most glorious song they had ever heard.

“8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

This second week of advent I ask you to consider the peace of God that has been proclaimed. Maybe this is the first time you have heard of this amazing peace that is given to those who simply believe. Maybe this is just what you need this holiday season. Maybe you need to be reminded that God, revealed through and in Jesus Christ, has done everything necessary for you to have a peace-centered relationship with Him. The good news is He is our Peace!