Christmas lights are going up. Can you believe it? Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened and Rudolph is in someone’s yard. How can these things be? Soon we will begin to sing about peace on earth. Confidentially, how is your peace gauge these days? Is it overflowing or running on empty? If I may ask, why is our peace meter running low?
Jesus knew he was about to be crucified. He told his disciples that their mourning would turn to joy, like a mother whose labor gives way to the birth of her child. Our grief will someday be swept away in a tidal wave of joy.
Understandably, something inside us wants to skip the grief. Listen to Jesus say, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Where are we? In this world? Then we will have trouble. I only remind us because I get the sense that some feel if we can just take control of the world, the trouble will go away. Some suppose we Christians should not ever have to experience trouble at all. Listen again to Jesus who was about to be crucified: “In this world, you will have trouble.” Now hear the rest of the story. Jesus says, “Take heart. I have overcome the world.” This is good news!
On the other side of our trouble there is triumph. We win in the end. Grief will give way to unending joy. This hope gives us peace. Earlier that night Jesus explained, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Go ahead and light the lights. Sing the carols. It is not too soon. It is never too soon to remember joy is just around the corner and peace is already here.
