The Prince of Peace by Linda Armstrong

And he will be their peace.

Micah 5:5

Once my brother and I knew our letters and numbers, my mother would label the presents under the tree with a code so that we would not be able to tell which package would be for whom. One year, for instance, I remember it was a numeral multiple of our ages. As my brother and I would eye the numbered boxes under the tree, big and little, we would attempt to imagine what might be inside. In our earliest years, the largest or heaviest boxes would excite the greatest admiration.

Micah is delivering his prophecies and warnings during an era following devasting loss in foreign wars and unfaithful authoritarian kings at home. His message pronounced judgment on God’s own people for their failure to live as they had been called to live. Even the Chosen were held to his high standards. There was to be no tolerance of sin and evil in the community of God’s children, regardless of their claims of God’s favor. The resolution of this moment of darkness in Israel would come in the form of the smallest of gifts. A baby would be born in the smallest of towns to the commonest of women. He would become a Shepherd. And he would bring peace to the ends of the Earth.

In these times, when our lives seem beset by turmoil and strife and when too many people around us, or even we ourselves, seem willing to ignore God’s laws and the example of Christ, our hope should be fixed on what is just, merciful, and humble. We should not be tempted to commit sin and evil while calling on God’s name. We ought not to seize on the largest and heaviest weapon or power to attempt to build his kingdom. Micah reminds us that His peace comes with the smallest of gifts. A baby is born in the smallest of towns to the commonest of women. He is our Shepherd. And he IS the Prince of Peace.

May we pass up the temptation of the largest and heaviest of packages. May we embrace the small gift, the one that will bring the peace and justice for which we pray. God does not begin our story of hope with the account of a mighty king. That story begins with a baby.

Christus natus est.

LINDA ARMSTRONG