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"Peace and Wholeness"
Read: Luke 2: An Event for Everyone
8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
In Luke, the angels are messengers of Good News. Ironically, as they
tell folks, including Mary, of the coming of the Prince of Peace, they must first reassure them: “Don’t be afraid.” Fear appears to be the opposite of peace. But opposites are part of the Christmas story.
Israel felt it had been promised a warrior king, but received a helpless baby instead. Joseph and Mary are “of the household of David” so Bethlehem is overflowing with their kinfolks, yet this expectant couple must sleep alone in a barn. Israel wants a king that will overthrow the Roman government, but receives a Savior who overturns the world instead.
For me peace is more than the absence of war, although that is always my prayer. I am touched this time of year by the video clips that men and women serving in the military, far from home, send to their friends and family. To me, peace is “normal time,” when families are together. Peace means we are not stressed to the point of panic; we can move without pain; our heart is not sick with sadness. That is the peace I long for this year. Yes we need all wars to stop, but we also need all to be fed and loved, healed and made whole. No army does that; only the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Prince of Peace, remove all fear from us, allow us to assist you and serve those who need to be fed, loved, healed, and made whole. May your peace reign. Amen.[Gil Hanke, Antioch, TN]
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Donate to Society of St. Andrew
Society of St. Andrew
Gleaning America's Fields
Feeding America's Hungry
3383 Sweet Hollow Rd.
Big Island, VA 24526
More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs - Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, Harvest of Hope and Hunger Relief Advocate Initiative - is available online at EndHunger.org.
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Feed your spiritual hunger during the weeks leading up to Christmas with these daily devotions from Society of St. Andrew, offering scripture readings, meditations, and prayers focusing on the coming birth of Jesus, the “Prince of Peace.”
And as you feed your spiritual hunger, we invite you to give generously to feed the physical hunger of nearly 50 million low-income Americans through the gleaning and food distribution ministries of Society of St. Andrew.
Through your faithful giving, as you are fed, so will our hungry brothers and sisters be fed. Every dollar you share will put 50 servings of healthy, nourishing food on their plates this winter.
May God’s light shine brightly through you in this holy season.
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