Gentle Conviction

Angles are odd in the Bible. There’s not a lot is details about them. Who exactly are they and where do they come from? I don’t know. What interests me the most is the message that they bring. Especially as they announce Christmas to the shepherds, they proclaim peace on earth. Insightfully, their plea for peace is a recognition that we need peace to begin with. They are admittedly observing that peace is not already here.  

Times when peace seems far off occur often. Scenes of conflict and unrest can be found at our holiday tables, in the office, in community meetings, nationally and internationally, and even in the church. I don’t know about you, but I could use an obscure spiritual extraterrestrial creature popping into moments of conflict more often. This interrupting angel would remind me of the importance of peace. We could use more angles.

While we listen to the voices that are calling for peace, we are also mindful that peace is not weakness. Peace is not passivity or an invitation to be exploited. We must not run from our Christian principles for the sake of camaraderie. For a host of complicated reasons, we too often lose our backbone. As Christians, we stand for love, compassion, generosity, and forgiveness. Our call for peace, and the gentle spirit in which we seek it, is a strategy to soften the hearts of the cruel. Our gentleness is not a concession to the loudest voice.

The angels, although frightening at first, bring a declaration of peace. Without speaking peace, they would likely remain frightening. No one can truly listen while their guard is up, and they are afraid. Relationships cannot deepen if we are always defensive. As Christians, we are called to protest the wrongs of the world. We are called to be a voice for the voiceless and stand up for people when they are being mistreated. At the same time, we must protest gently. Otherwise, we continue down the spiral of division and hateful rhetoric.

My friends, you are the angles! The mass of shepherds wandering the fields are waiting for you. Will you pronounce Christmas? We are called to promote peace, while calling for the coming of God’s reign in the world. And when Christ comes, there will be no more famine, no more war, no more bigotry, and injustice. When Christ arrives, there will be peace and goodwill towards all. When Christmas arrives, love will be all everyone knows. I’m hopeful Christmas will be here soon!

With a set of wings and a megaphone!

Pastor Lucas

Photo by Tadeusz Zachwieja