“Let There Be Peace in Our Hearts” Dec 4, 2022 Advent II

Krista’s Reflection “Let There Be Peace in Our Hearts” December 4, 2022 Based on Isaiah 11:1-10 (The peaceable reign of God) and Romans 14:4-13  (Being in Harmony, One in Christ) 

This is the second week of Advent – turning our hope toward  peace in this world. Who doesn’t want peace? Through the prophet  Isaiah, God promised a future time of peace. But the apostle Paul  reminds us we must work for peace if we want to participate in Christ’s  kingdom.  

When we talk about peace, we are not just talking about war and  its opposite. It’s also about everyday life, getting along with family and  friends, and within our communities. Learning to forgive and  compromise, and to remember we are united in Christ. We can all do our  part to bring about peace, one small step at a time.  

It was no different 3000 years ago. The Israelites were also  bickering and going through struggle. They were at war with Assyria  and were likely angry at God. They wanted God to rescue them and  bring judgment on everyone else. They expected a great king, from the line of David, who would wage war with their enemies and bring peace to their  land.  

Isaiah talks about this peaceable kingdom. But it’s not what the  Israelites were expecting. This person will be a man of peace, not a man  of war. He will be filled with the spirit of God, with wisdom and truth;  he will help the poor and needy, defend the innocent, and bring justice to  the land.  

Instead of a sword, he will wear a belt of righteousness and  faithfulness – meaning he will judge as God judges, fairly and justly;  and he will be there for us, and never let us down. God is righteous. God  is faithful. So this man will be as God, will represent God’s way. With  fairness, and justice and truth.  

So unlike the rulers of the past, who judge falsely, and wage war  against each other, this messiah or savior will speak words of truth  and his power will be pure.  

Isaiah then describes the peaceable kingdom where different  animals, predators, and prey, will lay down and graze together – and a baby will be able to play around the hole of a serpent and not be harmed.  So in this peaceable kingdom, even the instincts of animals will be to  love and share rather than to compete and destroy. 

NOT ONLY THAT A LITTLE CHILD WOULD LEAD THEM  ALL…. 

God then says through Isaiah, no one on His holy mountain,  meaning in Jerusalem on all the earth will ever hurt or destroy another  person or creature again (there will be peace on earth as it is in heaven). 

Imagine that…. (Just like Leave it to Beaver or Little House on  the Prairie where everything always ends well, and everyone makes up  at the end). 

But how can this beautiful image from Isaiah of a peaceable  kingdom ruled by an innocent child be real or ever come true?  It all sounds fantastical. Mythical. Impossible.  

But with God, all things are possible. 

Who else but a child of God could be innocent enough to believe  that this imperfect world could actually transform and be healed, and  people could co-exist and be truly happy and peaceful together?  

STORY: ADVENT II: HOPE AND PEACE 

Isaiah prophesied Advent over 700 years ago. Advent means “To  come” and Isaiah prophesied the coming of a little child (Christ) who  would lead the people to peace. Jesus came and taught people how-to  live-in peace, but we still don’t listen. He promised to return. And this is  also the meaning of Advent – Christ’s return.  

PAUSE  

Advent is a tradition of the church that helps us focus on the  coming of Christ – whether it’s the birth of Christ at Christmas or  waiting for the return of Christ when he will judge and bring peace to  the earth.  

So, a messiah will bring peace to the world. There will be no more  war – and there will be no more conflict or selfishness among people because they will all be filled with God – they will love rather than hate, harm, hurt or destroy.  

They will be like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning! His  heart was changed because he now knew the truth. 

Still, how can this happen on earth? 

Can you imagine if soldiers paused in their warring and sang  hymns of praise to God to celebrate the Christ child?…. That’s exactly  what happened during one of the bloodiest battles in human history….. 

STORY: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE 

It was Christmas Eve 1914, in a cold and blustery night on the  eastern front, and British soldiers heard German voices shouting across  the way, singing carols. An invitation to meet in no – mans – land  resulted in both sides calling a peace truce after midnight and all of  Christmas Day. Men of both sides met and exchanged gifts of tobacco,  hats and other trinkets, and allowed each other to carry away their dead.  The German soldiers were singing “Silent Night” in German, and the  British joined in in English…. 

A carol about a holy night that welcomed the Christ child.  This tiny baby united two warring nations, even if only for a night  and one day. This event called “The Christmas Truce” has been  remembered for over 100 years as a sign of peace. A reminder that peace  on earth is possible, even amid war.  

PAUL – SCRIPTURE 

We all fight sometimes. We all regret that we are not always  peaceful or loving. (Some of you may think I’m always peaceful and  loving and kind – but I’m afraid to disappoint you – and Steve will be  the first one to agree that I’m not perfect). And we do bicker and  disagree and sometimes Steve doesn’t listen to me.) 

But seriously, despite this fact, God can change our hearts in a split  second. We can become more peaceful, loving and kind.  For example, the apostle Paul, was not always a good man. He was  a religious leader who was angry at the early Christians and wanted to  kill them. He was on his way to Damascus ready to authorize killing more. 

Jesus came back from the dead and appeared to Paul as a blinding  light – he shocked Paul so much he fell to the ground and reformed his  ways. He became one of the greatest apostles of Christ, writing over half  the New Testament.  

Jesus took this self-righteous man who was about to murder his  followers and made him a great apostle to the Jews and Gentiles.  Jesus took this angry and bitter man and made him a great preacher  of peace.  

That is quite a testament to the power of a little child to lead them.  Jesus, a little baby in a manger would become a righteous teacher. Jesus  challenged the establishment by the power of his mouth, not by the  sword. Christ swayed Paul by the light of his presence, not by force.  And Paul’s heart was transformed forever.  

But then, Paul had to face all the bickering and arguing in the  Christian community. Paul’s followers were all arguing, Jews and  Gentiles alike about every part of the mission  

– what they should eat,  

– whether they should circumcise or not, 

– Jewish customs vs. Greek customs vs. roman customs.  – Which path they should take – 

– who they should follow,  

– what they should do.  

– What was considered “right” or “wrong.” Who should be in  charge.  

– What songs they should sing!  

– Whether they should work or beg, or ask for money or  whatever.  

– Whether this one is working harder for the church than the  other.  

– Whether Paul was a worthy leader or not.  

Paul tells these new followers to stop squabbling and get along  with each other. To remember they are one in Christ. But that wasn’t  easy.

Inspired by Isaiah’s vision of the little child and the peaceable  kingdom, Paul reminds them that God’s promise of peace is now  fulfilled in Christ. Christ came as a little child, and Christ is coming again to judge righteously. All the world will be filled with his glory,  and each person will be filled with the knowledge of God, so they will  never hurt or destroy each other again.  

We will be as one people under God.  

But we must take part to bring about this peace. To be as Christ.  We must learn to LISTEN and love one another.  

Advent gives us hope that this is possible. Peace is possible.  I can hear Jesus saying to all of us:  

I have hope in you. My hope is in you.  

My words are in you, my heart will be your heart,  

my will will be your will. Do as I do. Be as I am.  

Be as meek as a lamb, and as strong as a lion.  

Do not fear anyone, have patience with everyone.  

Do not judge anyone. Let me be the judge, and you will have peace.  Let go your anger and your fear.  

Trust in me. Believe in me.  Be happy that I am near.” 

So what can we do to foster Christ’s hope and peace in our own  lives, communities, and world?  

Krista’s Three Things:  

1. Welcome a new person into your home or church community, even  if they think or believe differently than you do. Welcome all. 2. When you find yourself getting into an argument with someone, let  go your differences and try to see from the other person’s  perspective. Find a way to be united, even if it seems unfair,  remember Christ wanted us all to be united. 

3. Pray for peace in our world; a return to innocence, remembering  the meaning of Advent – for Christ’s peace to come.  

May it be so. 

Amen.