the Prince of Peace

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government

will be upon His shoulder

And His name will be called

Wonderful

Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father



PRINCE of PEACE."

Isaiah 9:6



It's 3:32 am, the glow of a full moon has created a backdrop for pure peace. The Sistine Chapel

could not convey a more beautiful sky scape. The evening shines softly accentuating a collection of amazing clouds that break only to reveal a constelation or a lone star. Was it a night like this that brought such good news to a band of working shepherds? Was it this cold and stunning and quiet? Was it?



What was it like just before a Savior was announced? For at that point nothing in this sphere would ever be the same. The shepherds were just the first to have their lives rocked by the mere knowledge that He had arrived. That promised Prince of Peace.



This is Christmas. This is the celebration hour. After going from window to window, looking for a star, gazing at the beauty, wishing there were socks on my feet, knowing that this silence and gentleness will not last. Busyness and baking and wrapping and ..preparing will begin upon sunrise and normal will begin again.



Normal was all those sheep herders had probably ever known. But that night, that night of nights, there was a new normal. Their lives would forever reflect the holy announcement they had been chosen to receive. Now the townspeople would have to say, "Shepherds came into town last night and told everyone all about a baby being born. They said an angel told them where He was staying and that He was a Savior, and a whole mass of other angels came singing about Him. Can you believe it? " It had begun. The dawning of a new opportunity to know God

His love, His plan of salvation for a world who didn't even deserve it.



Thank goodness!



Now for the PRINCE OF PEACE to do His Father's will, but would we recognize it? The Jews obviously did not. The Roman government would never give it a thought. So what is this new

Peace accord that did not need to be signed? It was the Peace of heart that only the Prince could convey. Were they looking for peace? Did they know they needed it? Do we?



I know I need it...minute by minute. I need it to overwhelm me and settle me. I desperately need peace to make me who I am purposed to be. I need an outpouring of peace to keep me stable in an unstable world. I need the company of a Prince of Peace. I need JESUS.



So.....to You, Prince of Peace, I raise my hands in worship, as I gaze at the stars You created.

Thanking You for all the true peace You alone can and do willingly give to me. You are generous to the people of Your kingdom with Your gifts..Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control and we are blessed that upon Your first earthly arrival we were all given this:

"Now there was in the same country shepherds staying in the field, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And behold an angel of the Lord stood in front of them and the glory of the Lord shown all around them and they were so afraid. And the angel said, "Do not be afraid.

I come to give you good news of great joy which shall be for all people. For you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you, you will find a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."



And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavely hosts praising God and sayin,

'Glory to God in the highest

and on earth peace

goodwill to men."



We can never thank you enough for Your good will and Your Peace, Oh Prince of our hearts.

Blessed Christmas, Jesus. We are so grateful You came, You lived among us, You died for us,

You arose victorious and You are our Soverign Lord of Lords sitting right next to our Father!

As our celebrations begin...Happy Birthday and Amen.