Love and Peace: True or False?
I’ve got a quick question for you, it’s a TRUE or FALSE question:
The absence of peace is a result of the absence of love.
TRUE? Or FALSE?
Harlan Miller was a well known newspaper columnist and editor for nearly 40 years. He’s been described as “one of Iowa’s best known newspapermen” and was a household name in Iowa thanks to his “Over the Coffee” column, which appeared in the Des Moines Register from 1925 to 1965.
He once wrote this about Christmas…
“Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words.”
Harlan Miller, April 3, 1897–August 7, 1968
I think he might be right. It may be the reason why we don’t experience much peace at Christmas time.
Christmas Stress
This is the time of year we’re stressing over buying all the Christmas presents, trying to figure out how the travel plans to see all our family, getting the Christmas cards in the mail, putting up all the decorations and lights, wrapping all those presents we bought, and the list goes on and on.
For many of us, when we think about Christmas the word PEACE is the farthest thing from our minds! Yet, when Jesus came from Heaven to Earth this is precisely why he came. To bring peace.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus spoke those famous words of love we so often return to, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son…”
He gave the Prince of Peace so we could experience peace with God and with each other.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-NY3jrEGpQ[/embedyt]You see, there’s a direct connection between love and peace. Between the GOD who is LOVE and the PRINCE of PEACE who was born in a manger and then demonstrated God’s great love for us on the cross.
Clothed in LOVE, Ruled by PEACE
The apostle Paul said this in one of his letters to the early church…
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
The Apostle Paul, Colossians 3.12-15
Did you hear that? Clothe yourselves in LOVE, and let the PEACE that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
Maybe Harlan Miller was right. Maybe, if we knew how to put this LOVE into words we just might experience a little more PEACE.
As we continue to make our way towards December 25th, with all the joy and business it brings, can I just encourage you to find a way to put love into words.
If I had to guess, your love expressed in words to another person in your life would be worth so much more than anything you could possibly buy and give as a gift. And if those words of love were spoken, or written, and given as a gift… the PEACE that comes from Christ, the PEACE that is CHRIST, would come to earth again.
Merry Christmas. I pray this Christmas season is filled with words of love and a spirit of peace for you, your family, and friends.
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