Prince of Peace

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

 In the chorus of the song "O Come, all ye faithful", we sing "O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!" When Christ was born, not everyone who claimed they wanted to worship the Christ child really wanted to do so. Many of us go through the motions of church worship and service but our minds are usually far away. It is possible to mouth the words of worship and adoration yet not feel them in our hearts. Does anybody know what you really think about in your heart and mind? Are you willing to expose your fears, dreams, and drives to anybody? Exposure is risky?? Are you at peace? Do you know he Prince of Peace? 

 When the wise men from the East came searching for the King of the Jews in Jerusalem where Herod lived, they caused a major commotion. Herod the reigning tyrant king of the Jews, was extremely upset. He was a man who had killed his wife, mother-in-law, and three of his sons, because of his insecurities and greed for power and wealth. The news of the birth of the King of Kings intrigued him. Herod immediately called for the religious men of law and asked them where the Messiah was prophesied to be born. The chief priests of the day said they expected the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Herod asked the Magi to tell him when they had found the child, so that he could worship Him as well. However, in reality he did not want to worship Him but wanted to kill the baby who was an imminent threat to his throne. 

Today the absence of war is the presence of peace. The coming of the wise men from the East showed that the Messiah was recognized as one who would bring peace to the Jews as well as the Gentiles Micah 5:4-5. Christ was born during the Pax Romana, a time when there was relative peace in the territories controlled by the Roman Empire. The Romans assured their people of peace and security. The legal system that brought law and order to the provinces is still practiced by many of the western court systems even today. The Jews detested the Roman rule and Herod as he was appointed King by the Romans.

 Does not everybody want to live in peace? What was the peace that Christ offered to the world torn apart by hatred and violence then, and even today? To all of us who walk through the dark valley of the shadow of death Christ came to guide us into a life of peace (Luke 1:79). What steps have you taken to be a visible sign of God's peace on earth? 

 

Gift of Peace 

Jesus said,

Peace I leave with you. 

My peace I give to you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

John 14:27

The peace that Christ brought was peace of heart and mind (John 14:26-27). At church we joyfully exchange the peace of Christ with one another. Do we know this Peace with Christ or is it a time of catch up?  Are we willing to surrender our fears, dreams, and drives to Christ? Christ promised the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us and direct us through our life on earth. He showed us the way of love to live at peace with God and our neighbor. If we live in Christ we will know peace. It is the peace that passes all understanding that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:7). It is a peace that revealed to us a God who loves us dearly (John 3:16) and sent us His Son that we may all inherit eternal peace (John17:3). It is a peace that comes from Knowing Christ that leads us to know that all will be well in the end.

 The LORD bless you and keep you; 

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; 

The LORD lift up his countenance upon you. And give you peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26

Spiritual Growth in the Age of Mega-Churches

Bit-By-Bit

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (I Corinthians 3:5-6)

Mega-churches are growing bigger and bigger everyday. They are taking the likeness of well run business corporations of today. They have to their credit music studios, publishing houses, record labels, and daily talk shows broadcast through their own satellite networks. The largest Mega church Lakewood led by Pastor Joel Osteen recently leased the Compaq Center previously occupied by the NBA Houston Rockets. They have recently increased their television airtime expenditure from 6 million dollars to 12 million dollars, now being able to reach 92% of US households. Pastor Rick Warren Of Saddleback Church has sold 5.8 million copies of his book Purpose Driven Life. He outsold Billy Graham and has become the most successful Christian publisher in USA today. Corporations pay big bucks to market their products and the mega churches are following suite. However what the corporations lack is the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who reach out to the needy in love.

The fundamentalist and evangelical movement focused their attention on inviting their members to build a personal relationship with Jesus and in so doing obtaining personal salvation. While the mainline churches continued their focus on social issues. Is the gospel message focused on righteousness that zooms in on personal development or social development? Are churches built around the personality of the pastor or built around the personality of Christ? What makes people and churches to grow spiritually?

Paul draws us to a similar situation in the church where there was jealousy and quarreling among the members of the church. He said they were being controlled by their own desires (I Corinthians 3:3). Beware of any spiritual leader that focuses on your personal desires, financial prosperity, and the need to gain success by world standards because that only leads to ruin (I Corinthians 3:15-17). We should always envision the bigger picture, where we are all partners working together to build communities that love God, one another and live transformed lives centered on Christ (I Corinthians 3:9). We should learn to appreciate that it is only God that causes the growth (I Corinthians 3:6).

Christ spoke of a parable (Mark 4:26-29) of what the Kingdom of God is compared to, He said it is like a farmer who planted seeds in the field. Bit-by-bit the seed sprouted and grew to become a plant that yields fruit. This is how we grow spiritually, step-by-step, slowly we begin to become who God created us to be. Our hope is not in anything within us that makes us grow, but in Christ who brings about this growth. Jesus said that anyone who is willing to hear, listen, understand and obey are the ones who will be open to Him and grow spiritually. Just as the seed relied on the earth, air, sun, and water all of which is provided by God, so we rely fully on God who can only bring about the growth in us that is of eternal value. Yes, Paul says some sow the seeds and some water but it is only God who can bring about the growth(I Corinthians 3:6).

Heartless

Dissipation, Drunkenness, and Doubts

Finding Christ Amidst the Holiday Chaos

 A Modern Reminder from Ancient Roots

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." — Luke 21:34

Walking through the mall with my family, we came across a young man selling olive wood carvings of various themes from the Bible. Prominent among them were manger scenes in different varieties, along with representations of the Last Supper, Christ on the cross, and the Good Shepherd with a lamb around his shoulders. Displayed on the roof of his cart was a small board that read "Bethlehem Christian Families."

He shared that this olive art tradition had been handed down from father to son since the 12th century. The designs showcased were the workmanship of over 85 families, crafted from olive trees that were over 700 years old. 

A Symbolic Encounter

We were captivated by the designs, especially knowing they were from olive trees grown in the Holy Land for thousands of years. The religious significance of these carvings, made from the evergreen olive tree—a symbol of peace and beauty, and possibly the wood used to crucify Christ—compelled us to invest in a manger scene mounted on a lazy Susan with a music box attached. We hoped it would entertain our one-year-old and serve as a poignant reminder of the true essence of Christmas.

In this "Temple of Commerce," amidst long lines of families waiting to photograph with Santa and shoppers eager to purchase from stores like Sears, Macy’s, and J.C. Penney, we found ourselves drawn to this humble carpenter with his pushcart from Bethlehem. It was a moment that stirred memories of a long-ago night in Bethlehem when the Christ child was born. This encounter brought the living presence of Christ into our lives, filling us with hope that one day we will be with Him.

Turning to Christ Amidst the Chaos

As the season of feasting, acquiring, and indulgence sets upon us, let us remember to turn to Christ. When we are consumed with dining, acquiring, achieving, and drinking, we often neglect time for God. Christ calls us to be vigilant, reminding us that He is present where He is invited. He is among the poor, the lonely, the sick, and the forgotten—those who have time for Christ.

Do you know anyone in dire need? If not, seek out someone stricken by poverty, death, or illness and reach out to them during this Christmas season with your presents or your presence.

Living the Message

The hustle and bustle of modern Christmas celebrations can weigh down our hearts with dissipation and drunkenness, leading us away from the true meaning of the season. But, as Luke 21:34 warns, this can close in on us unexpectedly like a trap.

In reflecting on the manger scene we purchased, we are reminded of the humble and profound beginnings of Christ. This season, let us not get lost in the superficial aspects of the holiday but instead find ways to reconnect with the essence of Christ’s message. Reach out to those in need, offer a kind word or deed, and embody the spirit of giving and love that Christ exemplified.

By doing so, we not only honor the true meaning of Christmas but also bring the living presence of Christ into our world, offering hope and light in a time that can often feel overwhelming and materialistic. Let us celebrate with hearts full of gratitude and compassion, remembering that Christ is present where He is invited to be.

Christmas is also a time to remember the joy and reverence felt by Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels, and the Wise Men from the East. These figures, who came to worship and honor the birth of Jesus, exemplify the true spirit of Christmas.

As Isaiah 9:6 proclaims, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

This Christmas, let us reflect on the humble beginnings of Jesus, the true meaning of the holiday, and strive to embody the love, generosity, and humility that Christ taught us.

Simple Deeds of Mercy

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:35-36

Whom did Christ expect us to care for? Who did He call the least in the world's eyes? Those who have no standing in society. Those who do not have the means to live from day to day. Those who are lonely and in need of comfort and strength to face each day. When we reach out to those in need (the least) through simple deeds of mercy, it shows that we are listening to the voice of our Heavenly Father. Christ said my sheep follow me because they know my voice (John 10:3). We are called to practice these deeds from day to day.

On the day of final judgement, Christ will separate those who have practiced deeds of compassion from those who have not. In his parable he refers to them (Matthew 25: 31-46) as sheep and goats. The sheep are those who go out of the way to reach out to those in need and are sent to live in Heaven. As the parable indicates they feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe those who have need of them, care for the sick, and visit the prisoners. While the goats are those who did nothing to lend a helping hand to those in need and are sent away to Hell.

Jesus said that He lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:15). As sheep of His flock it means to realize that it is not our good deeds, but the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that gives us eternal life. This gift of grace calls us to lay down our lives to follow in the way that Christ calls us to go. How can we say our God is love, when our brother or sister is in need? As we grow in our faith we begin to hear the voice of Jesus calling us to reach out to those in need through simple deeds of mercy.