Sunday, December 2, 2012

December 2nd- Photo a Day- Peace

Peace:

Isaiah 9:6

English Standard Version (ESV)
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I don't like to use my blog to get on a Faith Soapbox, but that's not really what this entry is about. When I think of "Peace", at this time of year I automatically think of the Manger Scene (which, yes, I realize is not 100% accurate. The Bible never specifies 3 wise men, they show up 2 years later, blah blah blah. I like tradition and symbolism.)

I thought this photo was appropriate for the first weekend in the Advent season. I like to take moments at this time of year to slow down and really think about what Christmas is about. It's easy to get caught up in gift giving, holiday parties, and eating. None of those things are bad, but I like to take time out of all of that and concentrate on what Advent is.
This is a time where we reflect on the incarnation of Christ, who came here to live a perfect life and then die for our sins. It's also a time of anticipation, not only because we are celebrating the birth of our savior, but we are anticipating when that savior will come again and put the world right.  I would be happy to talk about this more with you if you would like. But I'll close with another passage. I'd like to copy and paste the whole Christmas passage from Luke, but that would take forever so here's my favorite part:

Luke 2:9-14

English Standard Version (ESV)
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


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