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SCRIPTURE READINGS

ISAIAH 9:2-7

TITUS 2:11-14

LUKE 2:1-14

CHRISTMAS REFLECTION

The theme for our Christmas reflection is Shalom. Shalom is a Hebrew word that is loosely translated in English as peace. Peace is the freedom from disturbance or the absence of war but Shalom means the totality of a person’s well-being which springs from his or her relationship with God. It is the completeness one experiences physically, morally, psychologically, socially, and spiritually as a result of his or her salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. In essence shalom could still be experienced even in times of challenges or crises. We we shall look at the following facts about Shalom:

1. Without God at the centre of leadership or governance, the nation cannot experience shalom (peace).
2. The Salvation of the Lord brings shalom (peace)into our lives.

First, without God at the centre of our national life, the nation cannot experience an era of shalom. The background of our first scripture reading from Isaiah is found in Isaiah 7:1-9:7. Isaiah ministered in Judah, the southern Kingdom where King Ahaz reigned as King. King Ahaz was being threatened by his northern neighbours, Isreal and Syria. King Ahaz fell on Assyria, a pagan empire for support and protection against his northern enemies. God sent Isaiah to deliver His message of assurance, hope and protection to King Ahaz to trust only in Him, the God of His father David whose throne Ahaz occupied and not to put his hope in the Assyrians who will eventually mislead him and his kingdom with their idol practices and worship. God will show King Ahaz a sign of His hand in the affairs of Judah through the birth of a son. It is for this reason Isaiah said “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 ). Isaiah’s message had an existential and prophetic manifestation. It must be understood that King Ahaz could not have understood Isaiah’s message in reference to Jesus Christ. The son being referred to during the time of King Ahaz was most probably Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz. Hezekiah was one of the few kings of Judah who was constantly aware of God’s acts in the past and His involvement in the events of every day. The Bible describes Hezekiah as a king who had a close relationship with God, one who did “what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 31:20). During King Hezekiah’s reign, Judah truly experience a long period of shalom. In other words, the Lord was with them, they prospered and triumphed over their enemies until Hezekiah made the mistake of disobeying the Lord. Dear friend, human Kings or leadership could lead the nation to have a steady relationship with God that will result in shalom. This is where Jesus who is also a descendent of David becomes the prophetic manifestation of Isaiah’s message. Jesus also came as King. Without Jesus at the centre of Human leadership, we cannot experience true peace or shalom. Human leadership will keep disappointing us and leading us astray until they allow Jesus to reign in their hearts then the Prince of Peace will give us shalom. Until Jesus reigns in the hearts of human leaders, corruption, injustice, oppression and insecurity will continue to be experienced by a nation.

Second, even if the leadership of a nation and the majority of people do not put their trust in Christ as the giver of peace, those who are saved in a wayward or misguided nation shall experience the shalom or the peace that God gives through salvation in Jesus Christ who is the gift of God to the world. The fulfilment of God’s promise through the Prophet Isaiah happened when “An angel of the Lord appeared to them (the Shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace(shalom) to those on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:9-14) Dear friend, those whom His favour rest are those who believe in Him as Lord and Saviour, they shall experience the shalom or the peace of God because they have been saved by His grace. For this reason, Paul admonishes us through his letter to Titus that “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14) In other words, Jesus’ grace has brought salvation and in His salvation, we have shalom or peace. When we return to ungodliness and our past sinful ways then we are no longer beneficiaries of His grace. If we are no longer beneficiaries of His grace then we are not saved and sin will dominate our lives. When we live in sin we shall have no peace or shalom in our lives. This is what happened to the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, he left his father’s house where he was safe and experienced peace. Out there in the sinful world, he no longer experienced the grace, protection and peace that His father gave him but immediately he returned home, he found grace, protection or safety and peace restored in his life. Jesus came into the world so that by His grace and our repentance and faith in Him we shall be saved and His peace restored in our lives. Jesus assures us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

In summary, we have meditated on the theme “Shalom” and we have discovered two important facts: Without God at the centre of leadership or governance, the nation cannot experience shalom and the Salvation of the Lord leads to shalom. May the Holy Spirit guide our leaders to have a deepened relationship with Jesus, the Prince of peace so that the nation will continually experience the shalom of God and may we also be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to continually live godly lives as a result of our salvation so that the peace of God will abide with us. Amen.