When I was a young boy growing up we had a family tradition of collecting all our Christmas cards and hanging them on the wall. Of course at that point in my life the most important Christmas tradition was the tree and the presents. But the second strongest childhood memory of Christmas was the hundreds of cards hung on our walls. These cards were filled with pictures and words of the Christmas story. The one phrase that stood out for me at that time was the title given to Jesus of “Prince of Peace.”
One big reason for this title striking me at the time, I believe, was the fact that it was the middle of the Vietnam conflict. Death tolls and were broadcast on the news every evening. News cameras brought the fighting into our living room. My greatest fear was that this war would continue into my 18th birthday. The celebration of Christmas seemed a contradiction to what was happening on the other side of the world. The phrase “Prince of Peace” seemed a contradiction to life as we knew it at the time.
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus was to be the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Yet when Jesus came on the scene there were no political rulers who asked his permission to do anything. Jesus himself said to his disciples that there would continue to be “wars and rumors of wars” until he came again.
Well perhaps “Prince of Peace” was meant as a title to describe what Jesus would bring to our hearts. Yet the world struggles more than ever with anxiety, stress, and fear. If I were an investment counselor, I would have people invest in “anti-anxiety” medication more than Internet stocks. Yet Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Some would say this is a contradiction.
The Christmas cards and carols we sing each Christmas continue to portray the event as festive, peace filled time: silent nights, manger scenes, animal petting zoos near the baby, angels and shepherds rejoicing with trumpets sounding, elegantly dressed Kings with nicely wrapped presents. Last week we went to Bethlehem village at Simpsonwood and the atmosphere recreated in the manger scene was peaceful and joyful.
As a pastor my biggest concern about the celebration of Christmas isn’t the self-focus on gifts received or the commercialism. My concern is that we’ve focused so much on the positive aspects of the Christmas story, that we’ve neglected a very important truth the Bible teaches in these events: the coming of Jesus was an event that shook the nations and disturbed the peace.
A couple weeks ago I talked about the disturbance to Joseph, who had to deal with the disappointment and shame the community would bring over pregnancy before marriage. As I studied this passage this week, I read of events that were never portrayed on Christmas cards. The church has focused on the bravery, cunning, faith, and gifts of the Wise men (actually Eastern astrologers), but we also read that when Herod heard of the birth of Jesus, he was “disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Herod plotted to have the wise men give away the location of Jesus, but his plans were foiled. He became so furious and determined to kill the baby that he had all the baby boys 2 or less put to death. That’s an event you’ll never see reproduced on Christmas cards or read at Candlelight services. Matthew ends the story of the birth of Jesus on a very negative note: “a voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Now I’m not trying to be an Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch who stole Christmas, but we have to realize that the Christmas story intentionally emphasizes the battle between good and evil, the battle between evil Kings like Herod who serve the prince of darkness, and God and all his angel armies.
When Jesus came to earth, Satan was ticked and furious. He tried to foil the plans of God, and thought brought great suffering to the people of God, especially the moms and dads in Bethlehem. Those moms who knew about the birth of Jesus had to be asking themselves if he was truly the Prince of Peace and King of Kings.
As you read through the Bible it is amazing how many references there is to battle. We are instructed to put on the “full armor of God.” We wouldn’t need armor is we weren’t getting attacked. We are encouraged again and again to “Stand firm,” “be strong and courageous,” and “fear not.” It’s all battle and conflict language. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but that doesn’t mean the war is over yet.
The victory is assured because Jesus overcame death, but there are still serious skirmishes and clean up battles taking place. (D-day & V Day) Why does Satan bother still fighting? I think of His mentality as that of a Kamikaze pilot. This Egyptian air pilot who they say may have been severely depressed and suicidal. We don’t know for sure what happened, but if it was suicide, he decided to take hundreds of people with him. Satan’s doom is sure and his end is in sight, but misery loves company, and he wants to take billions with him.
So don’t be surprised as a child of God if you’re life and circumstances get stressful and downright depressing at times. In battles and wars there are always injuries and losses, even for the winning side.
But be assured that you are on the winning side. There will be deep disappointments, but they will all be temporary.
If you read through all of chapter two you will hear this phrase 4 times: “for this is what the prophets foretold.” A ruler was to come out of Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt, the weeping of Rachel, and the return to Nazareth were all a part of the divine plan. You see, our God has quite an advantage in this war. He can foresee every plot of Satan. Satan never can have the element of surprise. God always has an answer for every scheme. God always has the final say and victory.
When life gets stressful, take comfort. God is in control. Enjoy the seasons of peace and joy and prosperity that He brings to your life. Cast all your burdens, cares, and fears on His shoulders, because He is the Ruler still. As the hymn writer says, “This is my Father’s world and let me ne’er forget. That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”
I don’t doubt that the manger scene of Mary & Joseph is somewhat accurate. With all the stress they had to deal with, the plots against their life by Herod, no room in the inn, a teenage pregnancy, I believe Mary and Joseph did feel calm and at peace, because they were with the “Prince of Peace.” Amen.
