I’m writing this on what the Norwegians call Lille Julaften, which means ‘Little Christmas Eve’. Today I did some last minute shopping, thanks to a festive combo of Royal Mail strikes and general disorganisation. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve shown myself up as a proper Londoner in my home town up North, trying to pay by card for things under £5 and asking perplexed pharmacists if they stock probiotics. And now that I’ve just watched a pantomime in a rural village hall, I’m feeling like I could be starring in my very own Christmas special. (I don’t know about you, but I find that imagining myself as a character in a sitcom helps me to laugh at myself.)
This will be a brief Christmas message -I just wanted to share with you my favourite verse of 2022:
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire. (Isaiah 9:5)
This is a promise to God’s people through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. A King will arrive who will stop the wars. He will destroy the instruments of war, since they will never be needed ever, ever again.
How sweet these words must be to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who have fled the war or are still trying to endure it. What precious treasure this must be to God’s people living in refugee camps or suffering civil wars across the globe.
What joy it is to me to hear these words, too. A day is coming – we’re still waiting for it – when this promise will be fulfilled. No more refugees, no more ‘migrants’ desperate to cross the English Channel, no more terrorism.
How could this ever happen? We’ll need a Prince of Peace. A Chief of Peace. A Commander of Peace. Someone who can bring peace with God, which will in turn bring peace with each other. No more fights.
It sounds impossible. So how can we know it will happen? We know because of what’s already happened:
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.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
Mum in Zone One 