PEACE
In medieval and pre-medieval times, in parts of England, there was an early form of Nativity scenes called ‘advent images’ or a ‘vessel cup’. It was a box, often with a glass lid that was covered with a white napkin, that contained two dolls representing Mary and the baby Jesus. The box was decorated with ribbons and flowers (and sometimes apples). They were carried around from door to door. It was thought to be very unlucky if you haven’t seen a box before Christmas Eve! People paid the box carriers a halfpenny to see the box.
Dr. George W Truett (1894–1944), pastor for many years at First Baptist Church in Dallas, was being entertained in the home of a wealthy Texas oilman. After dinner he was taken to the roof top terrace. Here the millionaire pointed to huge fields of oil derricks dotting the landscape.
“Dr. Truett, that’s all mine. I came to this country twenty-five years ago. I was penniless. Now, I own everything as far as you can see in that direction.”
The man turned in the opposite direction. He gestured toward great fields of golden grain and said again,”It’s all mine. I own everything as far as you can see.”
Turning eastward, his eyes swept over large herds of cattle as he smiled,”That’s mine, too, Dr. Truett. I own it all!”
With one final turn toward the west, he pointed to a beautiful virgin forest and repeated,”It’s all mine. I worked hard, saved, and today as far as you can see in this direction, that direction, that direction, and this direction—it’s mine. I own it all.”
He paused momentarily, waiting for expected praise, but to his astonishment it didn’t come. Instead, Dr. Truett laid his hand lovingly on the man’s shoulder and pointed upward.
“My friend,” he asked gently, “how much do you own in that direction?”
The man’s head dropped.
“I never thought of that.”
WHAT BRINGS YOU PEACE?
Serious followers of Jesus are aware of his presence in every direction of life. Our ability to earn. Our jobs. Our health and material resources. We may think we own it all, but we don’t. We are stewards of our life. It belongs to Jesus. He is Lord of all.
If you owned everything in every direction, like the man in this story, would it bring you PEACE? Or would you be asking, “Isn’t there anything more to HOPE for? to LOVE, to bring JOY?
When the last gift from under the tree of your life is opened, will you find yourself asking, “Is this all there is?”
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE
because there’s more, and it’s the best gift ever!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Yes, Jesus promises more, and the baseline of his promise runs counter to modern day culture and values. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”[2] To do life right, to be true servant leaders and good stewards in every direction of life, makes our last gift the most important one of all. A gift of life, true inner and everlasting peace. And it’s one we can share with everyone. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”[3] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.[4] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility[5] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[6] Merry Christmas! [1]John 3:16 [2]Matthew 6:19-21 [3]Romans 15:13 [4]John 14:27 [5]Ephesians 2:14 [6] Romans 1:7
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