Peace. What is it and how do we receive this beautiful anecdote which brings silence and a blanket of calm that both forces chaos to halt and cease its bombardment of our emotions and senses.

In a letter dated August 16, 1945 written by a young newlywed, a bride wrote to her husband–”Well, at last there is peace. That sounds so wonderful. Tuesday night I was sitting on the porch when it came over the radio. I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh”.

On the ring of the advent wreath, another candle waits to be lit, becoming a companion to “hope”.  This candle represents more than one kind of peace. With its flame burning, dancing in front of longing eyes, it emits promises of inner peace for us when life is overwhelming. A second promise calls us to know we can live in “peace with others”. Embodied in the Hebrew greeting “Shalom” is the very essence of peace “knowing that this is what is meant to be” and illustrates that God’s peace is a “slice of heaven”.

Therefore, what is “peace”? It’s more than a feeling. This much sought after feeling of hope and security is actually embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah, an 8th century prophet was gifted by God to foretell his people some of the most beautiful words I’ve read or sung…”For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6) 

700 years after Isaiah’s prophecy, the birth of the Christ child is recorded in the four gospels of our New Testament. Luke is my favorite author who recounted Christ’s miraculous birth and the people who were chosen to receive news of His arrival first–lowly shepherds tending their flocks in the dark of night. Utterly surprised by a multitude of angels singing– who broke into an ordinary night– their song is recorded for us in Luke 2: 14…”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Our young bride continues in her letter…”People got guns out, old cans, anything to make some noise. People went wild with excitement. Ed and I got in the car and went downtown. Traffic was awful…papers were all torn up. Flags were out…later that evening Evie, Gloria and I went back downtown around 8:30. You could hear horns for blocks away.”

At the appointed time God sent His son Jesus to be born as a child, fulfilling not only His birth, but to assume every name in heaven granted to Him with proper authority. I can’t imagine the beautiful chaos in heaven as angels worshiped and celebrated His birth. In contrast, all of hell broke loose, too, as the adversary–God’s prime enemy–Satan, was faced with a reality shining off the face of an infant who would bring an end to evil schemes and demonic strongholds in the adversary’s  constant striving to steal, kill and destroy all that God created and loves.

“I guess everyone is looking for the day when all the boys come home…well, darling, I’m glad I don’t have to say ‘I wish’ anymore.’

A common living room radio announced the news tired nations were longing to hear. World War II was over. A young bride, anxious to be reunited with her husband, rejoiced between tears and laughter. My dad was coming home soon…

Heavenly angels were God’s messengers delivering divine news to ordinary shepherds. Years of waiting for a promised messiah were over. Although these men and their Jewish nation did not or would not fully comprehend the events coming in the next 33 years of Jesus’ life and ministry, one thing remained. A peace that surpassed any other form known to them had arrived … .this kind of peace, set in motion 2,000 years ago is still a force to be reckoned with in a world that needing to be reconciled to the Prince of Peace.