pam December 5th, 2007
“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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6
With plenty of talk swirling around about whose shoulders the government will be on in the future, the words of the prophet come again as welcome relief. They also come as pointed challenge.
Author Joyce Hollyday remembers a visit to a family whose five-year old son had memorized the Christmas story from the Bible. “He started out strong and did well until he came to his favorite part, where the angels appeared to the shepherds and said, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace.’ He remembered the ‘Glory to God’ part, but then his mind went blank.”
“His mother offered some words of encouragement, and Kyle thought hard. Suddenly his face brightened, and he proudly launched into the story again: ‘And the angels appeared to the shepherds and said, ‘Glory to God in the highest… and I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down.” (excerpted from Then Shall Your Light Rise) As Hollyday suggests, Kyle’s confusion expresses, inadvertently, the dilemma with which we live. Often it seems that God’s will for peace on earth is obscured by all the huffing and puffing of the nations.
Advent reminds us that history is shaped not by the powers of this earth. In Jesus of Nazareth, another way of living is enacted. A way in which huffing and puffing are absent. A way that leads to peace. The path is characterized by justice, mercy, and nonviolence. All of them offered by means of costly self-giving. By this way shall life be found.
Elections tempt us to believe that transformation is possible through one candidate or another. But Christmas reminds us that hope comes from outside all our established structures. Voting for the candidate or party of you choice may hint at a new way, but the way is not found in any of them.
As we celebrate the gift of the Prince of Peace, we are reminded that our ways are not God’s ways. But we are also challenged to step onto the path where we can. May this Christmas bring us new hope, and new resolve!
A blessed Christmas to you -
Kim
