new church life: november/december 2017
glittering aspects of the season. But he is essential to what Christmas is all
about. He represents the evil that can come into our minds, and that even the
joy and promise of Christmas come with an enduring challenge to stand up
against evil in the world – and in our own lives.
Herod was a roadblock in the Wise Men’s journey, as he can be for ours.
He was a threat to the Lord’s mission – a threat He had to confront throughout
His life on earth. The presence of the hells can afflict our lives too – even
overwhelm us – if we let them. But the Lord shows us how to confront Herod
and overcome temptation by nurturing His own presence in our lives.
When we stand against Herod we enter into the presence of Simeon, a
man who was “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Spirit was upon him.” And when Mary and Joseph presented the young
Jesus to Simeon, he blessed Him and said: “Lord, now let Thy servant depart
in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which
Thou has prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of Thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-26, 29-32)
This is the redemption and peace the Lord gives to all who live with such
love and faith. This is the hope and promise of Christmas.
We are blessed to know that the Lord’s unconditional love and mercy did
not just visit the world 2,000 years ago but are with us every day. Even, and
especially, in this hurting world He still heals and renews.
By coming on earth He reopened the pathway to salvation and heaven.
John the Baptist had to come first to teach the hard truth: that heaven does not
come without struggle – shunning evil, fighting against temptation, working
at regeneration. But “Fear not.” That is when we are ready for the ultimate
Christmas gift – the birth of the Lord on earth and into our lives, the “good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Then only with “Glory to God
in the highest” comes the promise we all yearn for: “Peace on earth, good will
toward men.”
(BMH)
religious feelings: peace
Every human soul yearns for peace, but we do not come by it easily. The desire
for it is deep and constant because we were created to live in heaven with the
Lord, who promises “rest for your souls” to those who come to Him. (Matthew
11:28-30) But there are many traits in our natural heredity that are opposed to
heaven, so to get to a state of peace we must first go through the spiritual trials
of temptation.
Peace is often thought of simply as the absence of conflict, but to define
peace just by what it is not would be like defining happiness as the absence of
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