Advent: Peace & Pining

Confession: I am one of those deranged individuals that cranks the Christmas music on October 31st. Bring the critique. But, before you judge too harshly let me offer some perspective for why my Christmas playlist is perpetually ready to go. My desire is drawn from a deep sense of yearning, aching, or pining, for peace. 

My favorite Christmas hymn is entitled “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” written by 19th century poet and abolitionist, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The hymn is full of heartbreak and agony; this should be no surprise in light of Longfellow suffering through the death of two wives and experiencing familial strife during the Civil War. He writes the lines: 

“And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on Earth, " I said.

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on Earth, good will to men.” 

Do you get the sense of a loss of feeling of peace? We can all relate to that emotion. One moment we feel at peace with nearly all aspects and circumstances in our lives; then, any given moment, that feeling of peace seems to flee so quick it knocks us down. Longfellow then provides us with a beautiful contrast in this Christmas hymn. We see the movement from a mere feeling of peace to being with the God of Peace as writes: 

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on Earth, good will to men. 

This is the truth of Peace that the author of Hebrews writes about. 

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

For this week of Advent, as we pine for peace, help us to remember that true Peace rests in the person of Jesus. Before His incarnation peace was merely and primarily a feeling, but now in the “already, but not yet” we can experience Peace with Him and because of Him. 

This week, consider making a list of how you have experienced peace in your life because of Jesus. Additionally, make a list of the peace you pine for in the future coming of Jesus. Jesus gives us glimpses into this future hope of peace as He heals diseases, calms the sea, raises the dead, and pays for sin. By His death He brings peace; let us dwell on that beautiful truth daily. 

Submitted by: Mikey Conrad