For unto us a child is born…
The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
The baby we celebrate on Christmas day, is like every child, but different. This is the One “conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary” (Apostles’ Creed). It’s all God’s doing. Man in his usual roll must step aside and the woman alone comes forward saying, “Let it be with me according to your word" (Lk 1:38). This is the Child “born for us and for our salvation” (Chalcedonian Creed). As the Apostle puts it: “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for us” (Ro 8:31-32). On Christmas Day we celebrate the humble arrival of our “for us” Savior.
This Christmas, like most, takes place in the midst of our contentious world—lots of political, social, and religious fussing. The Baby was born to set us free for something different: “Peace on earth and goodwill towards all” (Lk 2:14). That’s why the prophet prophecies that the child would become the Prince of Peace. As Jesus would teach us from the mountain; “Blessed are those who make peace!”
When Jesus departs this troubled world he leaves behind his peace: “My peace I give, not like the world. Do not let your hearts be troubled …so that you may have my peace” (Jn 14:27 & 16:33).
That’s how the Apostles’ begin their letters to us: “Grace and Peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” We can’t get to peace without grace. So, today especially, let us be gracious towards one another and towards all people. Remember, our Savior, is the Prince of Peace.