Grace & Peace

 "Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson?

  Who is this, robed in splendour, striding forward in the greatness of his strength?

   It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save." Isaiah 63:1

PEACE

We sing Christmas songs about 'peace on earth'.  We use words to describe peace.  Snow softly falling, lying silently upon the ground undisturbed.  A child sleeping.  The tiny face nestled against soft bedding and the gently breathing of someone at peace in their surroundings.  Not a care in the world.

The picture of any child sleeping somehow quiets the soul.  As adults we do not recall those days and as we gaze upon the sleeping infant, we understand all too well the turmoil in our heart.

The familiar depiction of the Christmas story is wrought with peaceful imagery.

Sheep and shepherds in rolling countrysides with twinkling stars overhead.

An angels wordy and timely message delivered in the stillness of a silent night.

A baby sleeping in sweet smelling hay next to cooing animals.

We read the story time and time again with the understanding that the arrival of this baby is the gift of peace and yet, scripture is also full of imagery that not only depicts the personification of the child born but also his future role in the world to which he came.

We like happy endings.  

My personal belief is that we have turned the Nativity story into the happy ending that carries the warm emotions of finishing well and on a happy note. Perhaps it is our own definition of peace that needs reworking?

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." Isaiah 61:11

Anyone who has looked after a child understands that sleeping children appear peaceful that is until they wake up.  A child much like a sprout grows up in the environment of which they are a part of.

Again, it is difficult to imagine the soft, sweet smelling child as anything but welcome happy news. Joseph and Mary were most likely as any parents, full of wonder for their newborn son. But if we are to understand the price of peace, then we need to broaden our knowledge of the Christmas story.

We tend to compartmentalize two significant stories of Christ; his birth and death/resurrection. There is a lot of life lived out in between.  The sleeping child was a statutory promise that properly understood was the only way peace would ever again become a part of everyones lives. This meant sacrifice and that meant blood was shed.  

"But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will bend down for slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displease me."

Grace and peace are not just nice words. When I settle to comfortably into my own narrative I neglect the true meaning of the Christmas story.  There can be no lasting peace without the price of grace.