Advent - The Peace Candle
My husband and I sat in the cardiac surgery waiting room, growing impatient for a report from the surgeon. Our 12-day-old son was somewhere behind heavy doors, undergoing open heart surgery. It had been hours since we’d stroked the forehead of our already sedated baby as he was being wheeled away to the OR.
That day was preceded by a restless night. Now there we were, hearts pounding, dry mouths, intermittent pacing. We tried to distract ourselves with reading and small talk, but mostly, we held hands in silence and prayed like we never had before. We just wanted word – was everything okay? Had our baby survived this delicate surgery?
At long last, we were summoned into the consultation area. We searched the surgeon’s poker face, and finally he spoke. The news was good but guarded. Our baby would be closely monitored for the next 48 hours. If there were no complications, the odds were in his favor for a positive outcome. The surgeon turned and walked back through the OR doors, leaving us to process the information he’d given us.
Relief flooded over us both. Finally, I was able to take a deep breath. I felt a huge release of tension from my shoulders and other muscles I hadn’t even realized were taut with worry. Even knowing the next couple of days would be precarious, just hearing the truth brought the peace my husband and I needed. (Praise God! Our baby boy survived, thrived, and is doing great 37 years later!)
One of the great names of the promised Messiah given in Isaiah 9:6 is the title “Prince of Peace.” And how does that manifest itself? It happens because Jesus has dispelled doubt, fear, and anxiety with truth.
The claims of Jesus revealed truth that brought peace to all who were looking for a Savior.
To those who were lost and wandering, Jesus shared the necessary path: “…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) And they found Peace.
To those who were burdened by lies and deception, Jesus brought freedom: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) And they found Peace.
To those who were confused and questioning, Jesus brought clarity and revelation of the Father: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) And they found Peace.
To those who were wondering Whom to follow and Whom to listen to, Jesus gave direction: “…For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” (John 18:37b) And they found Peace.
To those who longed to know God, Jesus gave enlightenment: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) And they found Peace.
We were all lost, burdened, confused, wondering, longing – and the Truth sought us out. To find us, relieve us, comfort us, lead us, fulfill us. The Truth set us free and became our Peace. In the most unlikely of places, a Prince was born on a starlit night in a hamlet in Israel.
More than just restoring peace of mind, this Prince would restore peace between sinful mankind and just, holy God. One day, this same Prince will come again to restore and reconcile all things, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) All will worship the Prince of Peace. And that’s the truth.
Rejoice, and light the candle! We have Peace!
