Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. It is the Sunday that we lift up Jesus as our Prince of Peace.  Peace is a word that we hear a lot during the Holiday season, especially in the church.

When the angels herald Christ's birth, they sing of peace for all the world. Our Christmas cards contain messages of peace. Our carols talk about bringing peace on earth.

But, in truth, sometimes it seems these dreams of peace are just that: dreams that are too idealistic, too unrealistic to be worthy of serious consideration. It's hard, today, to believe that peace will come to our earth, isn't it?

Many of us know someone who is serving in the war in Iraq and have been put in harms way.  Daren Lazo, whose letter I read at the beginning of the service, comes to mind.

If we turn on the evening news there is inevitably a story about conflict and death in the Middle East and in numerous other places around the world. Here in our own country violence is rampant. 

Even right here at home, in Silicon Valley, we seem to daily read in the newspaper or see on TV or the internet reports of violence, hatred, and bigotry.   And it is not found just in our communities but it spills over into our churches as well. 

Many a church has been destroyed because of the violence in someone’s voice and/or the bigotry in their heart.  And sadly, some churches are built up by that same hatred and bigotry. 

Where’s the love? The idea of peace on earth and goodwill toward all seems illusive.

Even in this season where we proclaim peace on earth, our lives are hectic, sometimes so hectic that we miss the entire message of Christmas. We fight the long lines, the growling shoppers, the lack of parking spaces, and the traffic (my wife pointed out my guilt on that one!).

We feel pulled in a hundred different directions at once. Sometimes the obligations are so numerous that we find ourselves paralyzed with indecision. We would love to know the experience of a "silent night, holy night"  where "all is calm and all is bright."

Unfortunately, the world's philosophy is: If there is a problem, get rid of it. That is how you find peace. If you're feeling even a little stress, get a prescription;  if you're relationship is a struggle, first try a divorce;  if you feel overwhelmed, buy something;   if you feel guilty, keep searching until you find someone who tells you that it wasn’t your fault;  if someone is tormenting you, shoot them.

That is the world's idea of peace. But the Lord's peace is different. It is a calm and confidence that comes in spite of difficult times. And with the Prince of Peace as our guide we can know peace and calm in the midst of trying times!

In our Old Testament text this morning, Isaiah had a vision of the peace we long for. The passage is known as “The Peaceable Kingdom” and describes a world where the wolf will lie down with the lamb. Our notions of reality scoff at such a suggestion. But is it so unattainable?

There is an ancient Native American story that has been told around many a sacred fire.  It goes something like this:

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice... 

"Let me tell you a story.  I too, at times, have felt great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. 

“But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy.  It's like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.

"I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm.  He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended.  He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.  But...the other wolf... ah!

“The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper.  He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason.  He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great.  It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. 

“Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

Which one do you feed? Jesus is our Prince of Peace.  He offers us the spiritual food that will lead us to peace. He leads us in the way of peace. 

        There is a popular folk song that has been around a long time that goes: “let there be peace on earth … and let it begin with me.”  The truth is, it is up to us.

In our New Testament text Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Jesus offers a peace that comes from the inside out, not the other way around.  If we want to be able to see a time where the wolf will lie down with the lamb, it starts with us and how we make Jesus real in our hearts. 

We have a choice.  Peace is not the absence of war, but the embodiment of life – a life filled with love and care for God, others and ourselves. 

In this season of Advent that brings us to Christmas and the birth of our Lord, we remember that he was called Prince of Peace precisely because his peace surpasses all understanding, a peace that is everlasting, a peace that is offered to you and to me.

We are the ones who are called to believe it is possible for the human family to live in peace and for the Kingdom of God to come. This Christmas may our hearts be filled with hope and the promise of peace, not just this season but always.

Amen.