Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:5-7 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/isa.9.5-7.NIVUK
In 1983, Paul McCartney, the former Beatles bass guitarist, released the single "Pipes of Peace". The year before, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had led his country to war to regain the Falkland Islands from Argentina. The video McCartney shot for his song "Pipes of Peace" featured the famous event in 1917 when Allied and German groups stopped shooting each other on Christmas Day and instead exchanged gifts and played football. Given England's record against the Germans, I think we can guess what the result was. The thing is, Christmas Day 1917 was just a one day pause in a brutal war, the so-called "War to End All Wars" in which 20 million people died and 21 million were wounded. And it ended little. World War 2 took place from 1939-1945, where 85 million people died. The 20th century was the bloodiest on record - 108 million people died in human conflict. And it hasn't stopped. McCartney's song was a nice little addition to the multitude of songs calling for peace, but we are still fighting. The picture invoked by Isaiah is just beautiful: For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. Isaiah 9:4-5 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/isa.9.4-5.NIVUK
There is no doubt in my mind that everyone in Israel would long for this. They were sick of battle, sick of war, sick of oppression, sick of seeing people savaged and brutalised, sick of breaking the news to widows and children that their father had gone, sick of funerals and burials and memorials. They would long, deep within their heart, for this to end.
And God promises through Isaiah that it will.
However, not yet. The Prince of Peace will come into the full strength of His reign at the end of all time, when God will place all things beneath His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Then, at that time, the Bible tells us that all war will cease and there will be no death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). The Bible also uses the ancient picture of the kings of the earth bringing Him tribute (Revelation 21:18). They will not fight Him because they have already lost and Jesus has won.
These verses look forward to the glorious day when war itself is disarmed. When every evil that stands against us is vanquished. When we will truly be at peace.
And that day is only possible because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Yes, He does give us peace now - a blessed peace far superior to anything this world could offer (John 14:27). And we really need this now, far more than we need anything else. However, this peace comes because of the eternal peace Christ won for us by being crucified and rising from the dead: a peace with God that causes us to be at peace with our fellow man (2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Ephesians 2:14-16).
This is what makes Christmas so special. It is a celebration of hope for those who need it the most, joy for the downhearted and peace for those who struggle.
This is why it's way too good to be nothing more than a cute children's story. It's way, way more than that.
May He grant you His peace in an extraordinary way this Christmas.
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