December 3 -- PEACE

Did you ever have to sit through a boring “After Dinner” speech? Perhaps the most exciting and memorable after dinner speech ever given was the one Jesus gave to his disciples at the last supper.

On the last day of his earthly life, Jesus tells his disciples that he will be with them only a little longer. That would certainly catch their interest.

He encourages them to trust in God and also in him. They show bewilderment. Jesus assures them that he is going to prepare a place for them, and that he will come back and take them there with him. They have many questions. He says that he is the way to the Father, that he is in the Father and the Father is in him.

Picture their confusion, their questioning, their fear, riveted to his words, wondering what was coming next.

“You may ask anything in my name, and I will do it”. Now that’s an offer not heard every day.

Jesus wraps up by gifting them with the wonderful assurance that he will not leave them comfortless, but with his Peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you”.

Now, wasn’t that a speech worth listening to!

People have heard this speech countless times over the last 2,000 years. Today we begin the season of waiting for the birth of the baby Jesus… The Prince of Peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you”.

 – Carolyn Madeley