Advent 2 "Peace"

Do you ever think that the human race can bring about world peace? 

When you hear the bible refer to “Peace” what imagery comes to mind. 

Dec 11 2016       Psalm 85     

The key verse for this Sunday I have taken from Psalm 85:10 is “Love and faithfulness will meet; justice and peace will embrace. 

This is the vision of God’s realm, the Kingdom that is near, to be at peace, and love one another as God has loved us.  No greater Kingdom has or will ever exist. 
We long for Peace in our lives and in our neighborhoods.  Peace in the life of our family, in our church, in our governments, in fact Peace is what is long for in every nation in the world.  It was to be ushered in with the birth of the Messiah.  Yet 2,000 years later we are still longing with hope for a world filled with love and faithfulness, justice and peace.  Peace, joy, love, and hope are all there folks,  just as was promised.   It is up to us to begin showing these attributes of our God to others.   We are to show them His way, as taught to us by Jesus, not by words but by deeds.  It is up to us to live out the promises so other will know by seeing the fruits of hope, peace, joy, and love in our lives.   

How many of us know that on December 10, 1948 the United Nations adopted a worldwide Human Rights Code to protect the basic human rights of all people. Yet today homelessness still exists right here in our own back yard, Did you know that there are shelters in most of our  communities within the Maritime Provinces where youth and adults need help with accommodations.  That in most Canadian towns and cities today child poverty exists and continues to grow especially within our native communities.  Here in Canada over 40% of our indigenous children live in poverty.    Where then does one in need find “comfort and joy” in such a world?   Only in the faces of those who care about others.  This was to be at the heart of every Christian community that took root and shape within the writings of the Epistles. 

Some of us find it too difficult and therefore try to hide by “Cocooning” by curling up in our own world, trying not to look, to read the newspapers or watch the news on TV.   We want to avoid the negativity that surrounds us on a daily basis.  But that is a false reality and far from God’s call.  We are called to be present, and persistent in our search as we learn how to discover hope, peace, joy and love within the chaos of life and--   it can be found!     We can find and share it in the special moments of each day.    Did you know that Gratitude is the soil where such attitudes grow.  Praise and thanksgiving is the sunshine that feeds the roots of gratitude.  You can be the deliverer of a smile, the executioner of that unexpected hug, the listener who really listens, the hand that clasps a child’s hand in yours, you can be the barer of Good News. 

How do we survive in such times of uncertainty?  Where can we find comfort in times of chaos?    Comfort comes from doing small deeds of love and friendship.  You will find comfort in acts of justice and compassion for others.  The United Church in Barrington Nova Scotia where I was minister for over 8 years teamed up with the Salvation Army to help manage their Christmas Kettles within our communities.  Many would tell me that after working the Kettles at Wilson’s Home Hardware or the Atlantic Super Store they really sensed an inner peace and a feeling of deep personal joy.   In this time of hustle and bustle, it is so important to be open to seeing the blessings we receive and give not just at Christmas but each day from and to each other.   Let us become aware that each and every one of us is a gift from God and we are meant to be shared with one another.    Happy are those who have a grateful heart, a heart of charity, and compassion, for they shall find peace.    It is not a peace that the world knows but a deep inner peace that can bring a sense of calmness while the world continues to rage on.  It is an inner peace that can chase away your gloom and fear.    And it is important to look beyond our own families to see how we can be a blessing to others, especially those who are struggling and in need. If this is our focus, then hope peace, joy and love will land gently among us.   
Blessings will be showered upon us and yes upon our church too.

We like the baptizer John must prepare the way for the coming of Christ in the hearts of those around us.  We, who claim him to be Lord, mentor, teacher and Messiah, we must announce his coming to a world that is trying so hard to stamp out the true message in our celebration.    That in the small town of Bethlehem, on that special day a Savior was borne to the world.  His name was Jesus and he will be a sign to all the world that God is with us.  Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace be to all human kind for upon him all favor rests.   It is the season of Advent, our time, let us rejoice and be glad in it.