In observance of the Advent season, Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost has written four messages based on the four candles of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Read the second message in this series…
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
Is there anything more universally desired than peace in our world? History chronicles the devastation of war. Sadly, the 20th century saw more deaths as a result of war than any century in the history of the human race. Yet we have not learned that war does not solve our problems. Every morning my wife and I pray for the people of Ukraine, the people of Israel, and the people of Palestine. Yet the violence continues in these countries and around the globe.
The prophet Isaiah envisioned an era so peaceful that even predators would live in harmony with domestic animals. In other words, Isaiah taught that the wealthy and powerful were not to take advantage of the weak and vulnerable. How much we need that vision in our day.
Woody Allen once quipped that the lion will lie down with the lamb, but the lamb won’t get much sleep. Do we really believe that peace is possible? Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves the sense of well-being that comes from embracing the peace that God offers to every human heart. It is the message that the angels brought to the lowly shepherds on the hillside near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace.” (Luke 2:14)
Peace is God’s vision for our world. We are called to embrace God’s vision and make it our own, not just talking about it but praying and working for peace every day. As we sing at Lakeside, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Will you light a candle for peace?
– Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care
