I wonder if, as the world seems to get crazier, we don’t find ourselves peering a bit deeper into the manger scene this time of year to try and find some of that illusive peace on earth that was announced the night of the Savior’s birth. If, while we believe He is the Prince of Peace, we also wonder where is that peace. Certainly doesn’t seem to be around us. And, if we’re honest, often it’s hard to detect within us. There’s a lot of churn in our world — both in the outer world and, all too often, in our inner world.

And while we should keep on pursuing now that peace which passes understanding (Php. 4:6-7), my reading in the prophet Micah reminded me of a day when truly He shall be our peace.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. . . . And He shall stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they shall dwell secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth. And He shall be their peace.

(Micah 5:2,4-5b ESV)

A reminder to me that the One who came forth from Bethlehem to be ruler is the same One who, one day, shall stand and shepherd His flock as ruler. And then, there will be peace on earth. Absence of conflict. All at rest.

On that day when Jesus rules in power. His majesty evident. His name known before all.

There is coming a day. And on that day, He shall be our peace.

There should be something about celebrating His first advent that renews the anticipation of His second advent. Something about the promises of a King born in Bethlehem that causes us to long for the King who’s coming again in glory. Something about the wonder of Immanuel, God with us, that ignites the longing to be absent from the body and present with Him. And perhaps in that longing and anticipation, we can find that He is, even now, our peace.

That in the hope of one day seeing the Great Shepherd stand and care for His flock, we find a sense of security. That in the promise that He is preparing a place for us so that we might be with Him, there can be a present calm even amidst the storm. That in the witness of an empty tomb, we can know again that because He lives He truly is the resurrection and life, “and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (Jn 11:26). That the craziness and churn of this world are but temporary while He is eternal. And thus, His peace is our peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”   ~ Jesus

(John 14:27 ESV)

He shall be our peace. He is our peace.

Let’s look deep in the manger and know the peace given. Let’s keep an eye to the sky and anticipate the peace to come.

By His grace. For His glory.