This Prince of Peace

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, December 29, 2015

This Prince of Peace

The world today is not a peaceful place. Definitely not peaceful.

I live in the Chicago area. There is definitely a lack of peace here, too.

I crave peace. Calm. Gentleness, kindness, love, joy. Lord God, peace seems so out of reach, both corporally as well as individually. Yet, there is good news. Good news of great joy, which was given for all people.

God came to earth at Christmas. It was not only Love that came down at Christmas, but also the Prince of Peace came into this world. God reconciled the fallen, hateful world to Godself, in a vertical direction. One of the compilers of this book of December meditations writes, “Where God comes in love to human beings and unites with them, there peace is made between God and humankind and among people.” [1]

But, wait. That’s not all. God also overcame the enmity one person has with another. One group with another, one country with another. “Come and see how God, out of pure love, has become our brother and wants to reconcile us with each other.” [2]

Now there is the possibility of peace, love, and togetherness, instead of fear, hatred, and isolation. Prince of Peace, You entered into the world to show us love, in the most personal and vulnerable way possible. All that I can say is thank You, Jesus.

@chaplaineliza

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[1] God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, trans. O.C. Dean, Jr., compiled and edited, Jana Riess (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2010), 74.

[2] Ibid.

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 13, 2015

I’ve Got That Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Joy is also the topic of today’s modern psalm from Praying the New Testament as Psalms.

I could have expected that this verse would have been included. Of course it was. The verse from Luke 2 has been adapted as follows: “Good news and great joy for all people:/—a Saviour, the Messiah is ours./I will never be afraid.” [1]

That good news was brought to the shepherds guarding their sheep outside Bethlehem, so long ago. The shepherds were on the periphery of Jewish society, from the “wrong side of the tracks.” Still, they were among the very first to receive the news. That good news of great joy.

Even though life in this world is uncertain, I still have joy. Even though life can be frightening sometimes, God brings good news. Even though I don’t know the future, I still have joy. Truly, the joy of knowing Messiah Jesus, knowing that He brings good news—that is good news for all people.

Praise God. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Praying the New Testament as Psalms, Desmond O’Donnell, OMI, and Maureen Mohen, RSM, (United States of America: ACTA Publications, 2002.), 114.