Luke 1-2
Dwelling in Peace!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over this last month, it’s that names are important. What we call someone is a definition of sorts for who the person will be. But it’s more than just your given name. It’s the nicknames and titles too. And should you not be convinced yet of this fact, I want you to consider the name we give to this very room. In a church building, there may be several different rooms that we call all sorts of different names… like fellowship hall, classrooms, narthex, and so on. But in every single church is the main room we call the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the place we gather for worship, where we sing together and hear God’s word proclaimed. So, why do we call it a sanctuary? Why not worship hall or auditorium? For the word sanctuary means a place of refuge or safety. Our term sanctuary is a confession… actually, a Christmas confession. We call this room the sanctuary because we know we can come here and experience something unique. It’s our place of refuge… from life, from the world, and from even ourselves. But it’s not just because we built four walls and gave it a fancy name. No, the name is a description of what happens here. This is our sanctuary because here, God comes to meet us. Here, God comes to be our refuge. Here, we experience the unfathomable peace that exists nowhere else.
For on this Christmas Eve, we find out where true peace comes from in this world. It’s not from trying to escape our troubles. Nor is it any form of meditation. For the last name we give to this baby is most important of them all. His name shall be called… Prince of Peace! Thus, let us learn this night:
TRUE PEACE COMES FROM DWELLING WITH THE CHILD BORN AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE!
I.
We all know about the immense stress and chaos that happens during this time of year. Getting ready for the holidays, particularly for Christmas, can be exhausting. But add to that our need to live up to a particular version of ourselves during family gatherings, and now the tank is running on empty. For you see, what little peace we can find out in the world is only ever momentary. It’s a brief wisp and then it’s gone. Before work needs us again, before it’s time to go back to school, before the family drama boils over again leaving everyone upset and not talking. We all yearn for just a moments peace, but find only chaos and pain. Such was the original curse of our parents in the flesh, as we read, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing’… And to Adam he said… ‘cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life,” Genesis 3:16-17. It was this dilemma that has haunted humans for all of history. We’ve brought the chaos into our world through our sin. During even moments that are supposed to be precious to us, we get so easily distracted by the slightest of things—a comment, a look, a small mistake—and then all our peace is gone.
For I wonder what this night was like for Mary and Joseph. Were they fighting during their travels? Did Mary get upset when they had no place to stay? Did Joseph get angry at a comment Mary said? Of course, we don’t know. We would love to paint their trip as the most peaceful and harmonious, but in reality, it might have been anything but. For we understand that they both were trying to process the messages of the angels. As we read, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus,” Luke 1:30-31. Consider all the expectations and worries that came with such a message. Out of nowhere, they were told that they would have a baby that they weren’t ready for, hadn’t planned for, and possibly didn’t want at that time. Yes, the chaos of our world can so easily distract us so that we turn this Christmas into something that it’s not.
II.
But, let us go onto Bethlehem with the holy couple. Join with Mary and Joseph in the stable as Mary goes into labor. For in that moment, any possible argument they were having stops. As we read, “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn,” Luke 2:6-7. Into our world comes a baby unlike any other. A baby whose cries induce not panic, but love. A baby whose touch brings peace. A baby who makes the very angels of heaven sing for joy! For Unto us is born a savior, Christ the Lord! And he shall be called the Prince of Peace! For let us understand that peace isn’t always the complete absence of chaos and turmoil. Peace isn’t quietness. True peace is the presence of this small child in our lives. True peace is knowing that this baby is my Lord and Savior! True peace, which surpasses all understanding, is dwelling in the midst of God in human flesh and trusting in him for all things.
On this Christmas Eve, let us remember that this is what it’s all about. The peace and joy of Christmas is Jesus, born to save us from our sins. For the child laid in a manger will one day be laid into a tomb. The child who played with the tools and nails of his father will one day be nailed to a tree. The child who was born to save us must first die in our place so that the chaos of this world may be silenced by his grace and mercy! Though this small child has grown up, been glorified to the right hand of God, yet he comes to dwell among us here. He comes lowly as he was as a child, with meekness and compassion so that we may know his peace! Hence, the angels sang before the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14. Peace… to who? With whom God is pleased… and God is pleased with you on account of Jesus Christ. God is pleased to give you his son to be born in a manger, to die on a cross, and be raised so that you may inherit his peace!
Let us dwell evermore in the presence of this holy child. Let us dwell in his mercy and grace by faith that we may know the one who is our very Prince of Peace! In Jesus’ name! Amen!
Now, may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard and keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!