Christmas Light: #2 The Way of Peace
Image from the Nativity
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring [Jesus] from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-7
One of my favorite Bible Stories is that of Zechariah and Elisabeth. This story denotes the beautiful truth of the character of God and His Faithfulness to His People. God masters in bringing light to darkness and peace to chaos and confusion. While Zechariah is fulfilling his duties to the Levitical Priesthood, he is visited by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel spoke to him and said, “Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John...For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord...he shall...make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13; 15a; 17b). I love the way God brings life and light to Elisabeth’s dark womb that was barren and unfruitful, taking away her reproach (Luke 1:25), but even more, three other truths are communicated in this passage: (1) God hears the prayers of His people. (2) God has a purpose for each of us, and He uses that purpose to fulfill His Plan. (3), And God is faithful to His promises. I would like to focus on God’s Plan.
After John was born, Zechariah praised God and prophesied of God’s Plan for John and the Messiah. “And thou, child [John], shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways…Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring [Jesus] from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:76; 78-79 KJV). John’s message was simple and can be summed up in seven words - “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3b KJV). Prepare yourselves for His arrival. John 1:4 KJV states, In him [Jesus] was life; and the life was the light of men. Upon Jesus’ arrival, He came in the Spirit of Truth to light man’s way and bring him back to God.
This Way of Peace is described as light - a gift through Jesus to those who sit in darkness. Light in God’s Word denotes truth. The way in the Bible signifies a course of conduct; a manner and form of thinking, feeling, and deciding (Strong’s Exhausted Concordance of the Bible). And peace is so much more than the absence of pain, trouble, war, and confusion. Peace begins when the war within ourselves end - the fight to be your own man or woman. Jesus’ birth gave man and woman a second chance to have the relationship with God that we were purposed and meant to have from the very beginning of time. This relationship does not guarantee the absence of sorrow, but one can experience a tranquil state of the mind that assures you of salvation and brings contentment unlike anything in this world.
Jesus gave us an invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto Me…” It never expires. If your life with Christ or without Christ seems to be stagnant, receive His invitation and begin living your life on purpose - His Purpose for your life. No more fighting to have life your way, but His Way, His Conduct and His manner of thinking, feeling and deciding. This is true peace, a Christmas Light to be embraced - to agree with God and be one in relationship with your Creator and Savior.
GO G.R.E.E.N.
Tonda Loyd Henry