Calm Before the Peace

There were shepherds in the fields, watching their flocks by night. --Luke 2:8

It was a usual boring night for the shepherds in the fields surrounding Bethlehem. The sheep softly baaaing, no predators in sight, the dog was even asleep early. Everything was peaceful.

Ironic, that this pastoral scene is what precedes the in-breaking of the divine. Kind of the calm before the storm. Peaceful quiet--then bright light, booming angel voice, raucous angel singing, loud shouts of praise! The good news shattered the night.

And yet we know that the birth leads to good will and wholeness for all in God's time. It was really only the calm before the peace. On the way to that peace though--well, in the words of that great theologian Bette Davis: "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night." The world is about to turn--right on over!

Today we're waiting for the storm here in NH--a nor'easter. It will leave destruction in it's path. But we also wait for the coming of Christ. He will leave wholeness in his path. So remain calm, stock up, not on milk and bread, but on faith and trust, so that when the peace arrives, you're ready for the topsy-turvy nature of God's new creation. Live out the calm as if it were true already. Because it is certain.

God, your kingdom comes--make us ready for it today. Amen