Advent Peace

  By: Joanne Viola

“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
(Luke 2:13-14, NASB)

I found myself wondering … What will be the most frequently used words in the cards this year?

“Peace on earth, good will to men.”

At the time of Jesus’ birth, these were the very words declared by the angels (found in Luke 2:14). They were referring to the fullness of blessing which the birth of our Savior would bring to all people. Salvation. Well-being for His people. It was not just the absence of hostility or conflict.

“Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”

Four centuries passed in which God was silent. Not a word. No prophecy given. The people had to be wondering, “Where is He?”. Yet the psalmist tells us, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4, NIV) Every minute He is awake and attentive to His people. His silence is not indicative of inactivity. There will be a day when He will right every wrong.

The Christmas bells will ring this year as they have every year since His birth. Here’s the thing …

“And with our hearts we’ll hear them.”

There are truths we will only be able to hear with our hearts. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus prayed for our “hearing”: “Then Jesus said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9, NASB). He knew our hearts and ears need to work in conjunction with one another.

“Open up your heart and hear them.”

May we open our hearts to Him. May we hear His words to us these days leading to His coming. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.” (Jeremiah 24:7, NIV).

May you bend in close to Him and hear Him for yourself!

What do you need to do this season to open your heart and receive peace?

 

Photo by Oleksandr Skochko on Unsplash