Shalom

 

" ...And On Earth Peace..”

I received a Christmas care many years ago, that I still have.  The front was a beautiful midnight blue with the word PEACE.  Inside the message:  “Peace is not a season.  It is a way of life.”

The night of Jesus’ birth the Angels announced his mission for all the world to hear: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14) 

The Greek word for peace, in that passage, comes form the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom — peace — is a state of being.  A presence of well-being that encompasses not only the individual but the environment.  

Peace is the absence of violence and/or major conflict and confusion, opposite of any kind of disturbance.

Shalom is a gift from Yahweh -- the primary source of shalom.  Shalom, both personal and national, is a state of stability.

  

In the ancient world, and even in todays world, Shalom is used as a greeting.  Like saying hello, or how are you.  But it carries a much deeper, and profound meaning,  offering the person well-being.

Jesus came to bring this shalom to all the earth. 

What does that truly mean?

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”(Luke 2:8-15)