Last weeks bulletin was rather lengthy, so I am making sure this week to get the point across on one page! This is the time of year that most folks put aside differences and utter the words "peace on earth." It seems more than in other time of year peoples minds are drawn to this concept of peace. I understand why we do it, but it never makes sense to me why we think of things during particular events or moments of time. I wonder if we really understand what we are saying or asking for when we shout "peace on earth!!" I of course am using the word "we" meaning all mankind. What I am beating around the bush about is simply that I don't think people know what peace is.

There is an old Chinese proverb that might provide some insight. "If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world." It sounds almost simplistic, but it also makes such good sense. Society's problem is that we are not at peace with self; when not at peace with self, nothing else can be right because we are constantly looking through jaded windows.

"Peace defined in a dictionary is: the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, a group of nations, or the world; a state of mutual harmony between people or groups; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety; tranquility, serenity, silence, calm or quiet." There have always been times of peace and war. Solomon said: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. . .a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace" (Ecc. 3:18). As long as free-thinking people with different priorities and ideals exist, war and strife will exist. Peace is a costly thing! Our nation has not become the nation that it is without many battles, sacrifices, blood and tears of our forefathers. Our nation has always been peace loving. The world has been a constant battleground for thousands of years. How can we achieve that peace we all so much crave?

God is the author of peace (1 Cor. 4:33; Rom. 5:33) and until His will, is embraced by mankind, there will be no peace, "For He is our peace-and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (Eph. 2:14, 17). As Jesus was preparing for His departure to be with God, He told His disciples: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Jn. 14:27). He brought that peace by the cross, "having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself' (Col. 1:20). Do you have peace? If not then go to God through His Son. The peace that comes from the knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us-that's what I think of when I hear "peace on earth." That is the only real peace there is.

Eric