Prince of Shalom
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders, And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
As we approach Christmas, we can experience love, laughter, and celebration based on the fact that the King is born–The Prince of Peace.
It is difficult to see peace in our world
Of the four names and titles Jesus is given in Isaiah 6, the hardest to see and experience in our world may be “Prince of Peace.” If Jesus is truly the Prince of Peace, He doesn’t seem to be ruling with much authority or power. After all, war is still going on in the Ukraine, shootings still happen, there is hurt and pain at every turn. The peace that Jesus offers seems to be an elusive reality–if it’s any reality at all.
The Old Testament word for peace is shalom–which literally means “tie up loose ends together”. To bring shalom is to bring about the weaving together of life’s frayed edges, molding them back in as part of the whole. When Isaiah declared that Jesus would be the Prince of Peace, he was claiming that Jesus would be the One who would weave the fragmented pieces and divinely place them together as part of an amazing mosaic of our lives.
We need a Prince of Shalom, not to prevent life’s storms and difficulties, but to bind together all of life’s loose ends. Paul wrote: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV). This God at work in “all things” is the Prince of Peace that Isaiah predicted.
Christmas seems to bring both delight and emptiness
At Christmas, our house might be full, but someone’s absence makes it feel empty. The tree might be covered over with presents, but you really just want the presence of one person, and that relationship feels hopelessly broken. The table might be filled up with food, but your soul feels empty. In the midst of all the decor and decorations, this past year might feel like a struggle full of broken pieces.
Know that the Prince of Peace IS present. After all, the ultimate gift of Christmas is that the Lord of Heaven is also our Prince of Peace. The first step to walking in His peace is to invite Him into our chaos, disappointment, loss and fear. Invite Him to meet you in the struggle and begin the process of crafting the mosaic that is your life. Call on the Prince of Peace to rule in your life this Christmas.
Are you willing to pray for peace?
Savor this time of year with family, friends, and the Prince of Peace among you. Pray for peace–to be united in peace, for peace to invade your heart, and for peace to reign in your life this Christmas season.