“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…” Just as the wise men looked to the stars many Christmases ago, we too seek a bright star to guide us in our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Throughout the season of Advent, we are sharing daily reflections from the people of Saint Luke to help brighten our paths. Our daily writers offer to us their reflections on the various names used for Jesus in the Bible. Together their stars form a constellation of wonder that can fill us with hope, love, peace and joy as we journey towards Christmas.
Today’s reflection is from John & Elizabeth Muir. Elizabeth has been attending Saint Luke since she was three years old. They were married here in 1989 and their three children were all baptized and confirmed here. They have been ushers, Sunday school teachers, lectors, as well as many other roles, but their passion is the yearly Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Trips where they lead the youth of Saint Luke in sharing God’s love by making homes warmer, safer and drier for others.
Prince of peace
“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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6
“Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence.” What a perfect name for the child born for all of us on Christmas. The peace that this Prince brought was not the absence of hostility and violence, but a peace that exists despite hostility and violence. On a night where we sing Oh Holy Night with only candles to light the sanctuary, we feel the peace that this Prince brought. His peace exists through all the disturbing events that life hits us with and gives us the ability to endure and be calm. Elizabeth and I wish all of you a very joyous and peaceful Christmas.
God, thank you for sending us your son, the Prince of Peace, who commanded us to love one another as he loved us. Help us to find time this Christmas season to be still and feel your peace. Help us to find time to share this peace with others, and to celebrate the gift of the Christ child, Prince of Peace! Amen.