Advent Week 2 // PEACE

In my (Art) daily life there are numerous things I count on, but regularly remind myself to hold loosely.

I don’t want my faith to fall into that category.  By contrast, I want my faith to provide a constant - a reliable Ebenezer (marker) in my life, as much as it is a foundational truth of the universe.

The scriptures are full of passages that one could use as a lead to the topic of peace during the Christmas season.  Admittedly - Peter’s words in his epistle to the church aren’t likely to be a common reference for that purpose.  Please bear with me.

Read: 2 Peter 1:16-19

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

I don’t suspect that Peter was thinking of Christ’s birth in writing these words to the early church.  He was more apparently inspired by his (Peter’s) presence in witnessing the voice of "Majestic Glory" that spoke into a moment of Christ’s life and said, "this is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."  A moment (Peter tells us) that serves to make the word of the prophets more certain.

I find comfort in the words of Peter, similar to the words of John (1 John 1:1), reminding me that both of these men spoke from what they knew firsthand.  It brings me peace to know that "The Way" which we follow is not some contrived scheme or story of man, but a reflection on what real people saw and heard, touched and prophesied about.

In a world filled with the voices of best-selling authors, "prophetic" YouTubing celebrities, and musical artists who promote worshiping God through stage gimmickry and questionable theology, I struggle to appreciate the genuine awe and courage that filled the moment in which the Ancients spoke.

The Magi, inspired by astronomical revelation, made their journey of faith to worship, "the one who has been born King of the Jews" (Matthew 2).  The prophets had foretold, "out of you (Bethlehem) will come a ruler .  .  .  the shepherd of my people Israel" (Micah 5).  The Magi saw, bowed and worshipped, then opened their treasures for the King.

So .  .  .  where do you find peace in this season of Christ’s birth?   Upon what source do you rely?

In the course of my faith, "peace" has often required effort to consider who or what are reliable sources.  As critical as hearing from those who foretold or were witnesses (the Ancients) of Christ’s life, is hearing from those who are currently witnesses (fruitful) to Christ’s life.  Equally important is the ability to discern words that are consistently true.  To separate the glory seeking individual from the individual who seeks God’s glory.

May we… may you - find peace during this season of Advent, in which we expectantly wait to see, to hear and to know our Christ, our Messiah - more.