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.
Isaiah 9:6

Prince of Peace

For anyone who has seen any of my writing the last five years or so know that I identify myself as a peace maker. This comes from Advent and the traditional Christmas story. On the Advent wreath one candle is always for peace. One of the great things that the whole incarnation brings to the Earth is that God wants us to live in peace. Sending Jesus into the world as the Prince of Peace is a powerful expression of that.

I believe as Christians we are all called to be peace makers in the world in which we are living. One of the hallmarks of faith is the peace that God and our faith can bring to us. I see two huge dimensions to peace; peace within our own spirits is a biggie, the other is peace in our world. The good news of faith is that we can have both. Too too many people do not have peace within themselves that causes all kinds of personal and relationship problems. It is good news that the creator of our world want us to live in peace and harmony with one another. We think of Heaven as a place where peace reigns.

Prayer: Thank you dear God for the “peace that passes understanding” can live in our hearts. Thank you that as individuals and as groups we can work for peace in our world and among all communities in the world. Help us dear God to recognize now in Advent that you want peace for us in our own spirits and in our communities. Empower us anew dear God to be instruments of peace and grace among those we interact with each day, in our churches and communities, and as citizen of a world in need of real peace. Bless dear God the hearts that crave the kind of peace our souls that only you can provide. Bless our friends and enemies with tolerance, acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion to bring about peace. Bless the little baby Jesus who comes to us at Christmas as the Prince of Peace. May we offer our allegiance to this prince of our faith, and of our hearts. It is in his name we pray. Amen

Randy Lewis,
peacemaker