THE PRINCE OF PEACE

The ninth chapter of the book of Isaiah gives great hope for anyone who chooses to accept the record of the birth of Jesus. The names He will be called sheds a lot of light on what He will do for those who choose to accept Him. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

The Prince of Peace. That one attribute title of Jesus is what really gets me thinking. I like the idea of peace. I can imagine we all like the idea of peace. I like being in the midst of peace. A peaceful setting with peace and quiet. Sitting in the mountains looking over a lake or stream. Listening to the birds sing, the wind blowing softly through the pines. Breathing in the clean, fresh air. To me that is peace. Now, I understand peace can be seen in different ways by different people, but the results of peace are the same for all.

Jesus coming as the Prince of Peace was never meant to be the end of wars and conflicts, which is quite evident as I write this and ponder the increase in violence in our society and the ongoing war overseas. I believe that Jesus coming as the Prince of Peace was to bring an end of the hostility between man and God, and man and himself. The birth of Jesus ushered in a new hope, a reconciliation between Man and God. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The result of this inner peace leads to more love and compassion, more serving our friends and neighbors, more trusting, more civil conversations with people who may not share our beliefs and values, and the ability to be who God has called us to be. We can, and should ray for world peace, but I believe we have to find inner peace before we can have outer peace.

When we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we celebrate the peace that came with that birth. The inner peace we all desire to have in our lives. Jesus promised that we can have that type of peace if we follow Him. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

This Christmas my prayer for you is that you know the Prince of Peace. That you grow in your relationship with Him, and you truly feel the inner peace that you can have through Him on this "Most wonderful time of the year."

MERRY CHRITMAS, AND GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!