December 11, 2011
Christ United Methodist Ministry Center
“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”
3295 Meade Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 284-9205
Pastorgraphs: “Peace on Earth’”
One of the real blessings of Advent and Christmas is the Message of Peace.
The angels declared: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Yet peace is extremely rare in our world. Just watch the news and you will become convinced peace is nowhere to be found: not in politics, finances, and sadly, too little even in religion.
But I am happy to report that I found it! You see, peace is within us, not outside us. That was exactly what Jesus told his disciples as he was about to leave them:
“Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world gives,
give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Peace can be very temporary, unless we learn one powerful lesson: Peace is a gift from God. Starting with the Peace of God, we may make our own peace, and may choose to live within it (or not).
In my old age, I have found that no one can take away my peace quicker than I can take it away from myself!
I also have learned that I can enter peace at any time, though the storms of life are raging around me.
There is a verse in the Christmas story that gets overlooked. In Luke’s gospel, chapter one, (right after Mary declares “My soul magnifies the Lord”), Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied.
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people…
For He has visited and redeemed His people…
“Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Peace is not a destination to be reached, but a way of life. My prayer for you and me this Christmas is God will “guide our feet into the way of peace”. So in the hustle and bustle of this season, if you find yourself robbed of your peace, “take heart”. For that is exactly where you will find peace!
Devotedly,
Parson Bill
From the Quote Garden
“We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.”
~ William Ewart Gladstone
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