The Last Peace on Earth

First Lesson: Isaiah 2: 1-5
Responsive Reading: Psalm 122
Second Lesson: Romans 13: 11-14
​Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24: 36-44

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Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
The year was 1914. The month was December. The place was the Western Front of the First World War[1].  Pope Benedict XV asked that the recently started War be halted for the upcoming Christmas holiday.  The leaders of the fighting countries refused. 

You see World War I was not a conflict born overnight, English and French newspapers would paint propaganda declaring that the Germans melted their murder victims to make soap.  German children would recite what was known as the “Hymn of Hate” towards their European enemies[2].

Now, it was Christmas Eve.  British and German soldiers would be stationed mere feet from each other at specific points along the battlefield armed with bullets and bombs[3].  The last few months had nearly every solider see these fields decorated with the bodies of their fellow countrymen.  Peace on Christmas Eve in 1914 seemed to be nothing more than a foolish wish.

Christmas Eve 1914 will go down, though, as  one of the most remarkable days in the history of  war.  How it started, historians can’t quite say.  But on Christmas Eve, soldiers started singing, some of the songs were military songs, others were Christmas carols.  Their enemies responded either with applause or joining the choir.[4]

What happened on Christmas Day was even stranger? German soldiers began to cross enemy lines wishing the British soldiers “Merry Christmas” in English.  ” At first, British troops were hesitant, believing this to be the beginning of a surprise attack[5].  The German soldiers were carrying little Christmas trees over their heads, to let the enemy soldiers know the situation was safe[6].  The commanders didn’t know quite what to make of the visiting Germans.  But the Christmas truce began to grow.  It eventually involved tens of thousands of men gathering together to eat, drink, cook, sing, play soccer, give photos, and even help bury each other’s dead[7].  An event such as the Christmas truce of 1914 has never happened again in world history, too many military commanders have feared such a ceasefire going bad[8].  But Christmas of 1914 will be remembered for a giving a vision of peace that every witness to World War I would have thought to be impossible just hours before it began.

Peace in a time of what seems to be continual war seems impossible.  Only it wasn’t to one man in the Bible named Isaiah.  Isaiah was written during days in Israel’s history, which were marked by warfare[9].  Isaiah’s life saw the world’s mightiest empire in the world at the time: the Assyrians continually threatening Israel’s destruction.  Isaiah’s life even saw Israel on the brink of Civil War as it's Northern Kingdom aligned with neighboring Syria, threatening to destroy the Southern Kingdom where Isaiah lived.[10]  Isaiah knew war nearly as well as nearly any Biblical character.

The following background brings us to our lesson for Today from Isaiah’s 2nd chapter.   Isaiah’s passage looks towards Israel’s future.  Isaiah proclaimed Israel would face some dark days ahead:  The Assyrians would soon conquer Israel’s Northern Kingdom, the Babylonians would eventually conquer Israel’s Southern Kingdom, Isaiah’s fellow countrymen would then be driven out of their homeland forced to live in Babylon, the Babylonians would eventually fall to the Persians, the Persians to the Greek, and the Greeks to the Romans.  Just when warfare seems destined to eventually overwhelm the entire world, a child will be born in Bethlehem.

This child would bring great hope to the nation of Israel. 

Isaiah 2:4 declares: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Today, as a congregation, we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent.  Advent is known as the season of waiting within the church.  Now we can’t talk about waiting without realizing that waiting is quite hard[11]. 

Once upon a time, there was a certain king[12]. The King was growing old and didn’t have any heirs to succeed him.  The King decided that his successor would be determined in the most unusual of ways via a footrace.  So, the next day the course is set up.  Right before the race, one of the King’s servants began passing a message to the runners: “Do not run when the race starts; only run when the King gives his special signal to you[13].” 

The runners look at the Messenger, confused but agree.  Three men gather at the start line, with the race about to begin.  The race starts with the runners looking in the direction of the King.  The first runner tried to start quickly then stopped until he saw the second runner also begin to start.  The first and second runners took off for the finish line[14].  Running with every ounce of effort they could muster to succeed the King.  As for the third runner, he stood at the starting line, having not seen the King’s signal.  He looked around; saw everyone, even the King, watching the end of the race.  The third runner had never been so embarrassed, having blown the greatest opportunity of his life by appearing to miss a signal.  The race soon ends with the first two runners finishing in what seemed to be a tie.  All three runners then approach the King, wanting his verdict as to who would be the new King of the kingdom.   The King approaches the first two runners before asking: “Why did you run[15]?”   The first runner said he forgot what the King’s messenger had said.  The second runner said he saw the first runner take off. 

The King finally approaches the third man asking: “And why did not you run?[16]"

The third runner declared in response: “Because you did not give me the signal, sir[17],

The King would then declare: “My son, I knew that you could run, but I did not know that you could wait[18].”  The King had now found the successor to his kingdom.  Now ask yourself: “How many of us would show patience just like this third runner?”

Waiting takes many forms within our lives.  When we’re young, we count down the days of the season, eagerly anticipating Christmas presents.  When we get older, we begin to long for things that money can’t buy.  We long for peace in our families.  We want peace between nations, just like on Christmas Eve, 1914.  We long for spiritual peace on account of any wrongs that we’ve committed before men and God.   Advent reminds us that the Universe operates on God’s timeline for peace rather than our own.  We want Isaiah’s vision of peace:”Swords turned into plowshares” to have happened, yesterday.”  God remains though at work, even when we don’t see it.   

Once upon a time, there was a boy born nicknamed Chuck.  Chuck felt unnoticed growing up.  He was the 18th of 19th children[19].  Chuck was a social outcast in his early years.  He was really religious, and his classmates made fun of him as a “Jesus Freak.”  Chuck eventually becomes a minister.  Chuck’s first preaching assignment didn’t go well, leaving mad within one year of beginning.  One night though it was almost as God reached down from heaven to speak to Chuck.  Chuck would turn from writing sermons to writing hymns.   Chuck wanted to write music  that everyone could follow, even those who were poor and couldn’t read[20].  Chuck was walking to church on Christmas Day when he heard a bell ringing in the distance.  Chuck couldn’t help but think back to when God nearly one year earlier had given Chuck a new direction in his life and ministry.   So Chuck began writing a poem, with the first word being “Hark.”, hearing the sounds of the bell ring,  while seemingly hearing the voice of angels around him declaring[21]. 

“Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled[22]"

“Chuck” Charles Wesley became one of the most prolific hymn writers who has ever lived.  His music helped turn Methodism into one of the world’s largest church bodies[23].    Wesley’s most famous hymn, though, is the one that many of us know quite well.  “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

This hymn is based on the Angels of the Lord ‘ singing in Luke’s Gospel[24] upon visiting Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests[25].”

Peace right now in our world might seem  impossible.  It seemed impossible in 1914 only to see enemy soldiers soon celebrating Christmas together.  Peace seemed impossible during the life of the Biblical Isaiah as Israel was under attack from all sides.  Peace seemed impossible that night in Bethlehem as Mary and Joseph submitted to the world’s most powerful of governments in a census.  The message of Advent, though, is this.  Waiting is indeed hard.   Charles Wesley had to wait for years to find peace in his own life.   But rest assured, Peace among God’s people is coming soon.  We shall soon inherit the Kingdom upon which we wait!   Hark the Herald Angels Sing! Glory to the Newborn King! Amen
 
 


[1] History.com Editors. “Christmas Truce of 1914.” History.com. 27.Oct.2009. Updated. Nov.20.2019. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[2] Coyle, Daniel. The Culture Code. Penguin Random House UK. London. 2018. Print.  Page 28.
[3] Coyle, Daniel. The Culture Code. Penguin Random House UK. London. 2018. Print.  Pages 27-28.
[4] Coyle, Daniel. The Culture Code. Penguin Random House UK. Page 29.
[5] History.com Editors. “Christmas Truce of 1914.” History.com.
[6] Coyle, Daniel. The Culture Code. Penguin Random House UK. Page 30.
[7] Coyle, Daniel. The Culture Code. Penguin Random House UK. Page 31.
[8] History.com Editors. “Christmas Truce of 1914.” History.com.
[9] “War, Warfare (in Isaiah). Anabaptist Wiki. 26. Sept.2015. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[10] Isaiah 7-12.
[11] Gaiser, Fred. “Isaiah 2:1-5.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 2. Dec.2007. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[12] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[13] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub.
[14] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub.
[15] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub.
[16] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub
[17] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub
[18] Naylor, Charles Wesley. “Waiting on the Lord.” Bible Hub.
[19] “Charles Wesley.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.Nov.2019. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[20] Longanecker, Josh. “The Story Behind “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” James River Church. Ozark, MO. 22.Dec.2016. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[21] “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22.Oct.2019. Web. Nov.25.2019.
[22] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[23] Longanecker, Josh. “The Story Behind “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” James River Church.
[24] Luke 2:14.
[25] Hawn, C. Michael. “History of Hymns: ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. 11. Dec.2014. Web. Nov.25.2019.