Vol.No.43.No. 06
Vol.No.54. No.25
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY
July 31, 2006
DECEMBER 19, 2016
Hail the Heaven Born Prince of Peace! And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” - Luke 2: 13, 14
Christmas greetings in the Name of the heaven born Prince of peace, Jesus Christ!
The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which is widely understood as peace of God that would be experienced at the personal, communal and national level, in the midst of every possible life struggle. The apostle Paul calls this the "peace that surpasses all understanding"
(Philippians 4:7) – God’s supernatural peace surpasses natural understanding. The word Shalom also means unity and accord; it can therefore be achieved through a cordial relationship with God and also with His every creation. No one can live in isolation. The more we compartmentalise our lives, the more we distort God-intended peace. But, when we live in unity in spite of our differences, with the spirit of acceptance, Shalom pervades our day-to-day living. Another thing that often stands between us and Shalom is fear. We fear sickness, uncertainty, a broken relationship, financial constraint and such, which keep us from reaching God-given peace. Virgin Mary feared when she heard an angel saying she would bear a son in her womb through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was frightened when he heard about his fiancée being with child.
The shepherds were terrified when they saw the angel…but, the birth of Christ brought joy and peace in their lives, because they identified themselves with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Herod was also disturbed, but in a different sense, when he heard about the birth of Jesus, because he had separated his life from the source of eternal peace. Jesus said, “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16: 33). May the heaven-born Prince of Peace enable us to experience His absolute peace, Shalom, in our lives. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a fruitful New Year, Rev. Ananthi Arputha Mary Head, Chaplaincy
CMC Newsline
H
ow can we have peace when we are surrounded by gloomy situations in every realm of our daily living – sickness, war, natural calamities and economic crisis? Is peace utopian? For many, peace seems to be an unattainable desire. However, dear friends, such dismal circumstances can no longer deny us the Christmas hope for peace and good will toward all humanity. During the birth of Christ, people experienced peace-less situations because of spiritual bankruptcy, moral deformity, political oppression as well as social marginalisation. Yet, God restored peace which He promised, by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who would be called 'The Prince of Peace'.
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