On a Peace of Advent
This second Sunday of Advent is dedicated to a meditation on peace. This theme is what is causing me great deliberation. Normally, I would jump at the chance to share an Advent lesson. But this one, I am afraid, is lost on most of our churches. Anything I would have to say about peace would surely be lost in the midst of political rhetoric and fear. But, I am sure that the Lord worried about such things as well when he sent the Son. The world was not going to treat a Prince of Peace fairly, as we can clearly see in the gospels and reflect upon at Easter. But God did it anyway, so I will write the next paragraph inspired by the hope of the Lord.
The message of peace most of us heard this morning dealt with our family relationships and friends. We should treat them with peace, but do not the pagans and non-believers do the same? Our practice of peace should be extraordinary, just as Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount. And this peace is extended to even our enemies. I am discouraged by the number of Christians who feel secure because our nation is fighting pre-emptive wars. This is not the kingdom that was begun in a manger. The Christmas message of peace often gets drowned out by the competing visions of the kingdom found in liberalism, nationalism, and economics. Anyone who understands the central image of Christmas, that of Christ in a manger, will imediately see that the peace of the Advent has no place in this world. It will never "work". But the same logic says that God does not belong in this world. God's kingdom did not "work". It ended in scandal and crucifixion, but also in resurrection and glorification. Let us be thankful this Christmas that God did not let our rejection of God's politics prevent the Incarnation and our redemption.
Chew on that for awhile, and see if it breaks any teeth.
The message of peace most of us heard this morning dealt with our family relationships and friends. We should treat them with peace, but do not the pagans and non-believers do the same? Our practice of peace should be extraordinary, just as Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount. And this peace is extended to even our enemies. I am discouraged by the number of Christians who feel secure because our nation is fighting pre-emptive wars. This is not the kingdom that was begun in a manger. The Christmas message of peace often gets drowned out by the competing visions of the kingdom found in liberalism, nationalism, and economics. Anyone who understands the central image of Christmas, that of Christ in a manger, will imediately see that the peace of the Advent has no place in this world. It will never "work". But the same logic says that God does not belong in this world. God's kingdom did not "work". It ended in scandal and crucifixion, but also in resurrection and glorification. Let us be thankful this Christmas that God did not let our rejection of God's politics prevent the Incarnation and our redemption.
Chew on that for awhile, and see if it breaks any teeth.
posted by matt at 4:48 PM
2 Comments:
Ala a bible study I have been doing on God's attributes, it is entirely necessary to recognize God as peace. Not only as peaceFUL, but also as the pure definition of peace. As that is one of the attributes that define His character, it is also one that is communicable to His creation. We then should seek out living this and exhibiting this in our own lives. Peace is not merely getting along with friends and family and worldwide freedom from "pre-emptive", unecessary war and all the other atrocities we see on the news, but it is also that attribute of living with joy, love, and the freedom from fear.
P.S. Go Trojans!
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