Ornaments of Grace - Jesus, Prince of Peace

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion… The Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52, 7-10 Today, we celebrate Jesus’ birth as God made flesh and what that means for us and for all creation. May we offer everyone around us a hearty greeting of “Peace be with you,” for the Prince of Peace has come and dwells with us! The first reading for Christmas Day was written long before the birth of Jesus by a prophet called to bring hope to God’s chosen ones. The people of Judah had been defeated by a pagan king who destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Many Judaeans were slaughtered, and those who didn’t die were sent into exile in Babylon. Suffering as slaves in a strange land, God’s people wondered if they had been abandoned. So, the prophet reminds the people that God will never forget His people. In fact, in today’s reading, we hear a shout for joy that God has won the battle (through King Cyrus of Persia) and redeemed his people from captivity. Even more, God did not just save Jerusalem, but Isaiah states all the ends of the earth, all nations everywhere, have been redeemed. How beautiful, the prophet says, is this good news of peace and salvation! It is a cosmic victory, a victory for everyone and every part of God’s creation. While we have not had to serve as slaves in Babylon, God has sent his son to rescue us from all that might enslave us. If we idolize anything but God, we are enslaved. We can be enslaved to food or drink. We can be held captive by a desire for money or fame. But today, we are called to put everything under the Lordship of Jesus. For we are called to freedom. The message is one of peace and salvation. It is not just peace from outright war but from all reasons for war. Jesus dwelling among us means the peace is limitless because He is God made flesh and God is limitless. Jesus, as God, bursts through all barriers. He comes from heaven to earth, embracing all of creation and all people everywhere. We no longer have to be afraid to move out of our fears and isolation to reach out to our brothers and sisters. We can see the sacred earth with new eyes and the universe with wonder. On this Christmas Day, we may be aware of battles going on around us and within us, but we do not have to fear. God, in Jesus, has the power to save us. God, in sending His Son Jesus, showed us He wants us all to be triumphant. Let us sing with all the angels, “Peace on earth and good will toward all!” Let us live this song of love joyfully every day of our lives. Let us never forget for a second that God dwells with us because Jesus loves us without any limits, infinitely. Jesus, Prince of Peace, is today’s Ornament of Grace. How can you tell you really believe God became flesh and dwells with us? What gift can you offer to God today for sending us Jesus? How much will that gift cost you?