Zechariah
9:9-10
The
prophet Zechariah foresees that one who would come “lowly and riding on a
donkey” would also come proclaiming “peace to the nations.” On this Sunday of
Peace in the Advent season, we are reminded of the peace we crave in this
world.
In
the winter of 1914, what would become known as “World War I” had begun. This
horrific war that played out with the most destructive weapons known until that
time would claim over 20,000,000 lives. But, before the dreadful end, something
amazing happened that first Christmas of the war. Letters, journal, diaries and
more help us peace together what today is called the “Christmas Truce.”
Spontaneously, in over 140 areas along the Western front of the war, over
100,000 soldiers laid down their arms on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They
met in the middle of the no-man’s land of the battlefields, they sang Christmas
hymns and carols together across the open spaces, and in at least one setting,
Germans and British soldiers set up stakes in the ground as goals…and played
soccer together. The generals and commanders of the armies were horrified and
ordered that their troops never do such a thing again, ever. And, as far as we
know, never again has the peace of the season been allowed on a battlefield.
We
need peace not just as an end to war but as calm for the storms of our lives.
Many of us crave peace in broken relationships, in painful situations, in the
emotional torments in our hearts and minds. Sharon Beuttiger tells her story of
finding peace. After discovering a large and growing tumor in her brain, she
became consumed with worry—for her two children, for her husband, for her life.
As she turned to God in prayer, God reminded her of the promise of Isaiah 26:3:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they
trust in you.” God affirmed His care for her children, her husband, and her…no
matter what. While she awaits surgery on the tumor, she waits in peace rather
than in fear.
The
peace Isaiah mentions and that Zechariah talks about is “shalom”—the peace of
God. In fact, Shalom does not mean just “peace” as we often think of it today. Shalom
also includes contentment, wholeness, welfare, health, a sense of ease. So,
yes, God’s shalom is bigger than our “peace.” Jesus, the prince of peace, was
born into the pax Romana—the Roman peace that endured for 200 years
ensuring relative safety and free trade. But, it was a heavy, oppressive peace
that killed anyone who threatened it or was perceived to be a threat to it. How
different God’s shalom is from the pax Romana! The Roman peace was
imposed from without, forced on all. The shalom of God comes from within…a gift
offered to all who will receive it.
During
the Season of Advent, God reminds us that this peace is available to us.
Whatever storm of life we may face, whatever battles we are caught up in,
whatever may be robbing us of sleep or filling us with worry, God longs to pour
peace, shalom, into our lives. Let us receive the peace, the shalom, that God
offers us in this season as we remember the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Advent: Stories of Peace
Watch/Listen: HERE
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