The prophet Micah paints a powerful picture of the peace the promised Messiah offers.
Peace can be hard to come by, and the Christmas season is no exception. We consider violence in Israel and Gaza, strain in families, or even feelings of anxiety that can come in this season, and it all seems like too much.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it has a rich meaning. Shalom is not just the absence of violence, but means harmony, restoration, wholeness, completeness, and prosperity. In Micah 4 we see this vision of shalom promised in the coming age: nations are listening to God’s wisdom, military equipment is repurposed for farming, and everyone has not only what they need, but the time and space to sit under their vines. Shalom is both freedom from fear, and the richness of sweet figs in the summer. In a world of shalom, everyone has enough.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, fulfills God’s promise of peaceful presence with all of us.
Indeed, early in His ministry Jesus references this text (John 1:46-49). It’s a subtle message, and you might just miss it. The skeptical Nathanael doubts that Jesus is the Messiah, because he’s come from Galilee, asking “How do you know me?”
His response is, “I saw you under the fig tree, before Philip called you.”
Drawing Nathanael’s mind to Micah 4 is all He needed to say. Jesus is the promised Messiah, the peacemaker, the one to make wars cease, and to bring lasting shalom. Nathanael’s exclaims, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, the King of Israel!”
A favourite Christmas hymn, ‘O Holy Night’ describes Jesus’ birth like this:
“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn…”
And later in the hymn…
“Truly he taught us to love one another;
His law is love and his gospel is peace.”
Jesus, God’s promised Messiah, bring us this peace.
This Christmas season, what is God’s promise of peace for you? How can you live into this vision of shalom in your heart, in your families, and in the world around you?
God bless, and merry Christmas.
