Advent 2023

Week 3 - 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.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7a)

When I was a girl I heard these words read at Christmas and wondered why so many names? Why so many images? Prince of Peace? Really? I was a bitter and sarcastic kid, and my response to this passage was probably something like a popular talk show host says “How is that working out for you?”

My bad attitude grew worse the longer I lived at home. The loud background noise of daily conflict seemed to be everywhere I turned. I felt precious little peace. Conflict at home was constant, with squabbling parents who seemed to be stuck in constant strife. There was conflict at school, or more accurately, schools, because there was always a new school, a new teacher, and hardly ever anything but being the new kid. And I felt conflict within. Thinking about how I fit in, what I should do, and how to feel and how to think.

My home life and struggles just didn’t match up to the promises of Isaiah. I kept searching for the Prince of Peace, hoping for some peace of my own. Learning to study the Bible as an adult, I read this passage differently and felt comfort and hope for the future.

This season of waiting, the season of Advent, when we, in our time, know that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy, reminds me of those days of waiting from my youth. Waiting for peace, waiting for a time of hope. Waiting.

After a time, I accepted that my parents did the best they could with the skills they had, and that gave me hope. I accepted that faith in Jesus would bring me peace, and it certainly did.

Would that peace I now feel be as powerful to me if I had not experienced the conflict and turmoil of my early life? I don’t know. But I do know that as I grow through those feelings, and accept that in God’s world, it is He who provides the peace we need. Accept Him and we truly find peace.

This devotional was written and read by Julie George.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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