The Way of Peace

“Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the Morning Light from Heaven is about to visit us
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace."

~ Luke 1:78-79

This Sunday is Christmas Eve! What thoughts come to mind when you think of Christmas Eve? Perhaps some warm fuzzy memories from childhood? Or maybe some difficult ones? Or perhaps some grief over no more Christmases with a loved one?

Our Christmas Eve theme this year at Church at the Hub is "The Way of Peace," arising from the above verses spoken by Zechariah at the birth of his son, John (the Baptist). He was speaking to his baby son ("And you, my little son...") about how John would "prepare the way for the Lord" (the Morning Light from Heaven) who was about to visit humanity.

The Morning Light is one of the first names given to Jesus. Do you know the last name given to him? In Revelation 22:16 Jesus calls himself the Bright Morning Star. What is it about these similar titles (Morning Light and Morning Star) that would cause biblical authors to bookend the New Testament with these references?

Bob Goudzwaard puts it this way when speaking about the Morning Star: "When you see the morning star, you know that the night has been defeated.  For the morning star pulls the morning in behind it, just as certainly as Jesus pulls the kingdom in behind him."

I think Morning Light has a similar concept, except I picture it as the actual dawn beginning to break upon us. Either way, night is defeated.

Now look back at the above verses. Why is the Morning Light from Heaven about to visit us? "To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."

I'm not sure what kind of 2023 you've had, but this Christmas Eve reminds you that the Morning Light has arrived, is arriving, will arrive, and Jesus is pulling the Kingdom into your life as he dawns upon you. You may feel it's been a dark year or a great year. You may feel you're in a difficult place or a beautifully spacious place.

In one sense, it doesn't matter. Regardless of the events, Jesus is pulling the love, grace, and wholeness of God into your life. The Morning Light has arrived.

Two more quick points: first, let us remind ourselves of the motivation that lies behind these actions - God's tender mercy. Second, let us remind ourselves of the second outcome of the Morning Light of Heaven's incarnation - to guide us to the path of peace.

As the tenderly merciful Morning Light pulls the Kingdom of God into our lives - even the darkest corners of our heart and memories - he guides us to the path of peace. This word "peace" in the New Testament (eirene) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word shalom. 

The Incarnation of Jesus, the visitation of the Morning Light of Heaven, the coming of the Bright Morning Star, shows us the way to shalom, which is perfect, whole, life-giving relationship with God, others, ourselves, and creation. What could be a more beautiful concept for those of us sitting under the heart-breaking, life-sucking, lonely shadow of death?

PAUSE and REFLECT: 

Which of these concepts grabs your attention today? God's tender mercy? The Morning Light of Heaven? Hope for those sitting in darkness? The Way of Peace? These are all prophesied and promised to you in the arrival of Jesus, God with us.

Take a moment to reflect on these verses. Where does Jesus want to pull Kingdom shalom into your life today?

Can you sit in silence for two minutes, with your palms up and resting on your lap (in a posture of receiving), and allow the Morning Light of Heaven to visit you?