December 8, 2023

Dear Dana,

 

As we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the theme of "peace" that we will be discussing this Sunday.

 

Peace is knowing that everything is the way it should be between you and God. It is a state of being in which our hearts and souls are aligned with God's will. However, have you ever noticed how the world often offers us its own definitions of peace? We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us to find peace in material possessions, in our education, or in the success of our careers. While these can be sources of joy and gratitude, they are not the foundation of true peace.

 

I recently came across an interesting observation about the word "peace" when typing on a computer keypad. If our fingers are just one letter off of the home row, the letters "orsvr" appear on the screen instead of "peace." This got me thinking—our lives can often feel like "orsvr," so close and yet so far away from true peace. We can make all the right motions, but unless we are grounded in the right spot, true peace remains elusive.

 

I have good news for you. True peace is within reach. It is not something that we need to strive for or hope for in the distant future. Two thousand years ago, a child was born who changed everything. This child, named Jesus, is none other than God Almighty. He came to us in human form so that he could experience our joys and sorrows, our triumphs, and struggles. And His purpose in coming to us, in taking on our flesh, was to offer us peace.

 

Isaiah 9:6 tells us that this child, Jesus, will be called the Prince of Peace. Only by starting with Jesus can we spell peace in our lives. He is our home row—the foundation from which our lives can find true peace. Just as our fingers need to find the right spot on the keyboard to type the word "peace," our hearts and souls need to align with Jesus to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

So, as we enter this Advent season, let us strive to find true peace in our lives. Let us remember that Jesus is the source of peace—the One who holds the universe in His palm and yet willingly took the nails of a soldier for our sake. May we seek his presence, his guidance, and his peace in all that we do.

I look forward to exploring the incredible peace that God gives us in our sermon this Sunday.

 

Wishing you all a blessed Advent season filled with the peace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Arthur