Words of Peace given to the River John Community, as part of our Ecumenical Advent Luncheon Series (given in 2010)
Today calls us to dream about Peace...as Isaiah's people dreamed about peace. Peace is one of those attributes of God that seems, in so many ways, unattainable, something to which we cannot measure. But can we? Isaiah names the many places in which his people were in great darkness. But he also presents them with the places into which a great light will burst. Isaiah is teaching that peace is not merely the absence of war or violence, but is a feeling, an action, that is buried deep within, an action that is contagious, a feeling, that when spread, can have great result.
Today calls us to dream about Peace...as Isaiah's people dreamed about peace. Peace is one of those attributes of God that seems, in so many ways, unattainable, something to which we cannot measure. But can we? Isaiah names the many places in which his people were in great darkness. But he also presents them with the places into which a great light will burst. Isaiah is teaching that peace is not merely the absence of war or violence, but is a feeling, an action, that is buried deep within, an action that is contagious, a feeling, that when spread, can have great result.
This time of year presents us with an interesting challenge. It is so easy to think of ourselves as the people without light, as the people who are doing everything wrong, as the people who are in so much trouble that we cannot see our way out. But then God calls us to something different. God has called us this day to dream about not only what we can be, but to focus on what we are. Yes, there are lots of places in our lives for improvement, but there is also lots in our lives and community that we are doing right, that is full of peace, that is full of God's light. As we prepare this day for the coming of Emmanuel into our midst, the child who is the Great Light, we are also called to see ourselves in a different light—the light that reminds us that we, here in this community, can work for peace and do work for peace—those who know deep peace. We are called to live out that peace, and do that by the ways we reach out to others, by the ways in which we celebrate each others strengths, by the ways we live intentionally toward our environment.
This scripture is our confidence. Confidence that this community is blessed and will continue to be blessed by God's peace. If we continue to live in ways that are true and honest, acknowledging God's zeal, the light of peace as contained in the Christ Child will spread into the darkness with passion and furry. Isaiah deeply believed this...but the question for us this day is, How can we celebrate the places where light dwells, while believing that the gift of peace will continue to burst into the dark corners of our lives? Do we believe in God's zeal? May God's peace continue to be with you this day. Amen.
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