Not Fear but Peace

Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.

Lord,
this was the passage the scholars found
when the wise men arrived
and asked Herod,
"Where is the child born king of the Jews?"

A study in contrasts:
King Herod
an agent of the Roman Empire
Power
Terror
Death Squads
Political Strength
Fear

Baby Jesus
the Son of God
Infant
Hope
Messiah
Redemption
Security
Prince of Peace

Lord,
our news media is full of Herod:
of those who walk the halls of power,
of those who prey on our fears,
of those who confuse terror with power,
of extremist hide outs, strategic missile strikes, and threats of more,
all words used to hide the reality of violence, death, and revenge.

Prince of Peace,

Come and reign over us.

May Your peace be born 

in us, through us, between us, among us.

"Cure Thy children’s warring madness,

Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal."

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Do it quickly, Lord Jesus.

Amen.