Advent Day Eight
Prince of Peace
Focused Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NRSV)
When read as predictive prophecy, Christians understand Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus hundreds of years before that fateful night in a Bethlehem stable. Isaiah gives to the coming Messiah four descriptive names including the royal title “Prince of Peace.”
On the night of his birth, angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Prince of Peace? Peace on earth? Where is this peace? Surely not in Ukraine or Armenia or Ethiopia or Yemen or the Middle East or… the list goes on and on. You get the message. We live in a world of constant discord. We join Jeremiah and Ezekiel in crying out, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
Ah, but the peace Jesus brings is not the absence of war and political harmony. It is much, much more. The peace Jesus gives is found in knowing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:10) As sinners we are in conflict with God.
The sacrifice of Jesus the Christ at Calvary and his resurrection restores us in harmony and peace with God the Father. The babe of Bethlehem is truly the Prince of Peace for he shows us the path to eternal peace the world can never provide.
Prayer: For the eternal peace that comes from knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord, we give thanks. Amen.
About the Author: Larry High, married to Jo Ellen, members of SUMC for two years. Residents of Ocean Lakes Family Campground. Two children, five grandchildren
Advent Activity of the Day – the Peace candle will be lit today – Let everyone in the family choose a country and then google to see how they celebrate Christmas there.
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