By Mary Ellen Tierney
“Peace.” I hear God whisper.
“How can I have peace when there is so much to do and COVID is swirling around?” I shout back, inside.
“Peace.” He whispers again.
The word “peace” is everywhere in the account of Jesus’ birth (the actual word itself, and implicitly in the angels telling Mary and the Shepherds to not be afraid). It’s a word we need more than ever this Christmas season. Our lives have changed: working from home, online English learning, increased physical isolation from people and an unknown Christmas season ahead. This year we may better understand the ESL students, who cannot see family and friends.
Isaiah 9:6 prophesies Jesus’ birth: “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”.
Luke 2:14 tells us that on the night Jesus was born, the gift of peace was given: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Peace is a person. Jesus. He offers us His peace as recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Often the peace the world talks about is the absence of conflict, anxiety, or troubles. Sometimes we look at the world and feel the verse from “I Saw the Bells on Christmas Day” (especially when in our English Programs our participants talk about the racism they face):
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
The good news is: Jesus is a resurrected Lord, not just a small baby. Jesus offers us peace despite difficult circumstances. Like when our ESL Programs shifted in March and we had to learn a new way of doing things, He was there in the midst. He showed us a new way. We needed to “make peace” with this new way of doing ESL online and continue to do so, even when our hearts’ desire is to be physically present with the students and volunteers. We have found the online advantages of former and new students joining from overseas, of shared screens and using the chat feature as a white board. We also have the privilege of “giving peace” in the everyday moments in our ESL Programs. Since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, with His Spirit in us, we can be people of peace in our conversations with those around us. We can listen and offer words of hope and peace in this Christmas season and beyond.
Peace,
Mary Ellen Tierney