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 Holiday Worship Guide:
Shalom
By Ron Otto, Lincoln
Christian Church
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[December 12, 2014]
Do
you value peace? Sure! A little “peace and quiet” is great. I’m
talking about real Peace! Peace of mind. Peace of heart. Peace
within our relationships. All of them! Did you know Jesus is called
the Prince of Peace. Why?
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 Many Christmas cards speak of peace. That’s curious because
Christmas can be such a time of turmoil. Even though it’s Christmas,
we can still be in the middle of stressful circumstances, uncertain
futures, maybe strained relationships. And here we are wishing
someone, or being wished upon, “May your Christmas be filled with
peace.”
I doubt the first Christmas was filled with Peace. Or was it? Jesus
came right in the middle of a strained relationship between Joseph
and Mary. When Joseph learned that Mary was going to have a baby, he
was devastated and he planned to separate from her and break off the
engagement. After all, he knew the child wasn’t his. But an angel
tells him to take her as his wife and he does. The birth of Christ
served to solidify the relationship between Joseph and Mary. And I
believe He can do the same today.
 “Let me get this straight. I can have my strained relationships made
better just because of Jesus?” Sure! Why not? It may mean swallowing
your pride, apologizing, forgiving! But it has happened in the past.
It is happening now for many. And it can happen for you.
A true story from my ministry: A woman who heard my Father’s Day
sermon came to me the next week to thank me for it. She said, “I
went home after church and called my father. We had not spoken or
communicated in any way for almost a decade. When he heard my voice
over the phone he began to weep and I cried too. We’ve been reunited
now. I can hardly wait to see him again. I’m at peace with him and I
have peace about it.”
Now it may not happen that quickly for everyone. But it is amazing
what just getting on the road to reconciliation can do. Peace could
be just around the corner for you.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
“For He Himself (Jesus) is our peace…”
(Eph. 2:14)
Our world is a troubled place and many are afraid of Jesus today.
- The authorities are afraid to have children sing about Him
in our schools, afraid to have children dress like angels at
Halloween and afraid to have His picture hung in the halls of
government buildings.
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- The authorities are afraid to have manger scenes on
government property but recently said the KKK can legally place
a cross on the lawn.
- The postal service is afraid to tell customers, “Merry
Christmas” but instead instruct their workers to say “Happy
Holidays.”
The list goes on and on of the fear of what Jesus could do in our society if He
was allowed to come and be a part of us. I believe the very thing they’re afraid
of is the very thing that has the means of bringing peace into our lives and
into our relationships. It isn’t impossible for you today to have more peace. It
simply begins with the Prince of Peace and letting Him back into your world.
Maybe you and your family should give Him another chance. As always, you and
yours are invited to attend our Christmas services any Sunday in December. The
Prince of Peace is just around the corner.
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