“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
“Where ya goin?”
In this crazy Covid world, my boys and I have a new weekly tradition. They are both working on school work at home on Wednesdays so I decided at the beginning of the year that we would do lunch on Wednesdays. Most of the time it is take out or even fast food, but it’s something we all look forward to. Wednesdays always seem to be busy. My boys, one middle schooler the other a high schooler, are both navigating math, and science, and history. They watch online teacher lectures, read papers, and solve math problems. I usually reserve Wednesdays for study in preparation for Sunday’s sermon. I read God’s Word over and over again. I read commentaries and I listen to lectures. Most importantly, I pray. I like Wednesdays.
This Wednesday it didn’t go as planned. Seemingly endless phone calls and church Christmas plans mixed together like concrete. I would start one project, then be distracted (mostly by my own doing) and move on to another. “The Christmas Eve Order of Worship needs to be done early this year.” I thought. My mind moved from a Sunday sermon on “Peace” to a Christmas Eve of chaos. My fingers moved the December 6th document on my screen to make way for December 24th. My heart began to palpitate with endless tasks to complete, people to care for, ears to fill. My mind raced and there were not enough laps in the day. The checkered flag of Christmas Eve was right around the corner. “How are we going to seat everyone? What songs will be played? What videos will inspire? What will we feed the worship team? How will the online service look? What does God want to be shared this Christmas Eve?” The mental struggle was abruptly halted by an alarm on my phone. It was time for our weekly lunch.
I left the house and brought home burgers and fries. Wednesdays are always our day to eat out together, but this afternoon was different. My son transferred his food to his plate and started for the stairs.
“Where ya goin?” I asked.
“I have work to do!” He replied.
At that moment, I knew his day was going like mine. The concrete mix of daily struggles was solidifying with each passing minute and each minute was too precious to spend time with dad.
With a smirk I told him, “Let’s eat at the table.” He agreed with a smile.
There we sat, three Kraft boys and just talked. No math, no world history, and no Orders of Worship for Christmas Eve – no struggles. The latest Covid stats had no place at the table. The stresses of tomorrow weren’t even considered. We were at peace in the presence of one another at a table in a townhome in Eagle.
On a hillside outside of Bethlehem, God’s angels declared peace. They glorified God in the highest heaven but declared peace on earth. Perhaps you have heard and read these words hundreds of times and never realized what the angels actually sang “On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (emphasis mine). Peace isn’t put in the cellar to be dusted off and served in 100 years, peace on earth is now. The angels didn’t sing about papers or assignments or struggles of today. Those would be assumed. The angels didn’t sing about Covid quarantine orders, work lost, sick days or masks. God knew that would happen too. No, the angels rejoiced because God’s promise of sending the Prince of Peace was fulfilled.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Are you looking for peace in your struggles today? We all are. We try all kinds of things to find peace. We look in different places to be at peace but we struggle and our Lord is placed on the back-burner. In the midst of our endless search for peace our heavenly father says,
“Where ya goin?”
To find true peace you don’t need to go anywhere at all, because God came to you in Christ Jesus. That’s what Christmas is all about. Fully God; Fully man he came to you. The Prince of Peace came for you that chilly Bethlehem night; He died for you on that dark Calvary afternoon; He rose for you on that bright Easter Sunday morning. Ahhhh Peace.
Join us Sunday as we REDISCOVER Peace in our struggles.
See ya Sunday!
Austin
