Prince of Peace I

Christmas is one of the most hectic times of the year. Traffic is terrible. One trip down Dixie Highway or Route 747 or a visit to Tri-County Mall or Kenwood Mall will test your calm sweet spirit.

We are all besieged with many activities, dinners, gifts to buy, guests coming and going and, as a result, stress begins to build. Counselors tell us that emotions intensify around Christmas time to the extent that there is more drinking, marital problems, suicides, frayed nerves, and strained relationships at this time of year than any other.

Isn't it interesting that the Bible says that Jesus came as the "Prince of Peace." ? Almost all Christmas cards have something to say about peace. The most popular Christmas carol talks about "All is calm; all is bright". But do we really have peace at Christmas?

One of the most unusual incidents in the history of war occurred on the first Christmas Eve of World War I. The war was only five months old yet 800,000 men had already been killed or wounded. Chemical warfare was being used and bombs were dropped for the first time. It was a killer war.

On that Christmas Eve something unique happened. All was quiet on the Western Front. There was no fighting going on. The British troops raised some signs above their trenches which said "MERRY CHRISTMAS" . To their surprise the German troops did the same. Christmas carols, in different languages, began to be heard. Christmas day found them unarmed.

Soldiers from both sides were meeting out in the middle in an area known as "no man's land." Christmas day passed peacefully and at one spot along the battle line the British soldiers played the Germans in a soccer match. The Germans won 3 - 2.

Peace followed the next day because neither side was willing to fire the first shot. Finally the fighting resumed but only after fresh troops arrived.

If we would let it, Christmas could be a pocket of sanity in a world full of turmoil, hurt, heartache and despair. We can have peace regardless of circumstances.

Prince of Peace II

We must remember that peace is not just the absence of conflict. Our world is full of war. We need to hear the words of Jesus as He promised peace in the middle of turmoil and stress " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (JOHN 14:27 ).

Have you ever been stalled in traffic in a major roadway. Traffic is creeping along. It is backed up for miles. Everyone is getting more and more tense. Horns are honking, people are shouting to one another and you are about ready to lose it.

You look over and there is a teenager with earphones on. He is smiling, snapping his fingers and thumping the steering wheel. He is thoroughly enjoying himself. Why?

He is tuned to outside music. We need to be tuned that way. In the midst of heartache, sickness, loss of loved ones, we need to follow Jesus' admonition, in Matthew 11:29, when He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest (peace).".

We get so caught up in the activities that we spend more time making fudge than we do spending time with the one who can give us that peace. Sometimes I think we ought to go ahead and call it "fudge-mas," or "cookie-mas," or "pie-mas"? Why don't we honor the day as "Christ-mas"?

On this great holiday make room for the Prince of Peace. Don't let Jesus be forgotten! Don't forget Him! Please?