Christ, our peace.

I apologize for posting this after the 4th Sunday in Advent, but I have been battling computer problems, which now seem to be fixed. yay!

Readings:
Old Testament: Micah 5:2-5a
Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45(46-56)

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome to the final Sunday in Advent. This is the last Sunday before Christmas, so I hope you all have prepared yourselves accordingly. I know that I am a last minute shopper- always looking for the perfect gifts. It seems I face a similar problem in these writingts. Always looking for the perfect words, the perfect complements in explanations, and in being able to relate the readings- a nice little bow. But then I look at the Old Testament reading and realize that its not the wrappin, or where a gift comes from; it isn't how much it costs, but it is the purpose and manner (intent) in which it is given.
Even though Bethlehem was small among the clans of Judah, it was here that our Heavenly Father said Christ should be born. A ruler whose origins were from of old, from ancient times. Christ wasn't a new or shiny gift. He wasn't wrapped in pretty packaging or topped with a bow. No, like those things that are blessed by God, they seem lowly and unassuming to the world. It is their purpose and intent that matter.

Christ came to shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord God. Christ came to do this for us! Christ was born, lived, and died so that we, his flock, could live securely. And he will be our peace. (I am fond of definitions) And he will be our freedom from distress. he will be our harmony. Christ will be our tranquility. Yes, Christ is certainly all of these things. Peace comes from the indo european base "pak," which means, "to fasten". and the latin pasisci which means, "to confirm an agreement". Christ is our glue. the binding agreement between us and the Father, the creator of all things. It is our belief in him, sealed in His blood, by which we are blessed, and can rest, free from distress, in harmony and tranquility,in the knowledge that our sins are forgiven and a greater life awaits us.

I read the Gospel lesson and the one thing that jumps out at, the idea that says, "hey, look here... i relate to the foundation" is the line, "Blessed are you who has believed that what the Lord has said will be accomplished." When you believe in Christ, the son of the living God, our Heavenly Father, who created all things, you believe in that very same Father, from whom all things eminate, who has given us forgiveness and sealed it with the blood of His only son. We are fastened to Christ through our belief. And Christ will be our peace.

And when you testify about Christ you prophecy about the future, for the testimony of Christ is prophecy. And he will come again. Blessed are you who believe that the things the Lord has said will be accomplished. He set aside sacrifices and offering to do the will of God, that we may be saved. For God was not pleased with sacrifices and burnt offerings for they could not make us perfect- those who draw near for worship. If they could have made us perfect, then they would not have stopped. But Christ was perfect for us. He is our strength. The confidence of our peace. Christ died once for all mankind. By the will of the Father have we been made holy through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the son of the living God. Our shepherd, our peace.... the Lord is my shepherd.

By his blood we have been forgiven and by our belief have we been fastened to that forgiveness, and we can rest easy, in the knowledge the our future is secure. The Lord is our peace.