“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)
As the days become shorter and the nights longer this winter, darkness greets me quicker than I want. I find myself longing for the sunrise each morning and compelled to put up my Christmas lights to combat the encroaching darkness. This extended darkness makes my days seem too short. Fleeting. I find my heart longing for hope and peace in the uncertainty the night often brings with it.
Perhaps you understand the weight of darkness as well. Concern for a child. Waiting. The grief of loss. Broken systems. A crumbled dream. Discord in relationships. The losing battle against sin.
Oh, how we long for peace. For the day war is not on the radar. When darkness no longer advances. When injustice doesn’t prevail. And death’s sting ceases. As Advent unfolds, we receive a word regarding the hope and peace our hearts ache to see.
In Isaiah 9:6, we have been given a gift in the form of a child, a baby. This gift—Jesus—will bring us a just kingdom and keep doing God’s extraordinary work. He will guide us in God’s ways (and turn our own plans upside down). He is mighty and strong. He will be our Father in charge through all the ups and downs now and forever. He holds peace in His right hand.
Jesus is both the gift and giver of peace. For believers, we will live in this kingdom with Him—and this truth sparks hope to endure in our faith until that day. For this lack of peace on earth won’t have the final say.
As the Christmas hymn, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” reminds us:
All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas, we can rejoice in the Prince of Peace who left the splendor and peace of heaven to step down into a broken, unjust world and usher in peace for you and I—for we were on His mind to be recipients of this peace.
Jesus is the light and peace the world—and all of us—need this Christmas and always.
Originally published on The Round Farmhouse.