Today is our second Sunday of Advent, which brings us the great theme of peace. Peace can mean many things. The absence of war in our world probably ranks highest among our hope for peace. But peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is justice and fairness obtained. Clean water. A full belly. Safe shelter. Access to affordable health care. Peace is even more than that.
But what is peace personally to you? What makes you feel peaceful? Sitting around the dinner table with loved ones? An afternoon nap? A walk on the beach? Watching the sunrise, over a cup of coffee? Peace is that calming presence of God in the midst of storms and difficulties. Peace is God carrying Our Saviour Church through uncertain times. To know peace is to know God. To know God is to know peace.
Coming from the snowbelt of the Midwest, one of my most favorite experience of peace comes from the sight of falling snow- the sight of the trees and ground coated in untouched new-fallen snow. Despite the hassles that snow can bring, I still feel moved to peace and tranquility in a snowfall. Anyone with me on that? As corny as this sounds, Snowflakes have a calming effect on me. They give me a peace that leads me to and centers me in God.
Unfortunately, there is nothing peaceful or tranquil about the use of the term snowflake. Back in the 1860s, a “snowflake” was a person who opposed to the abolition of slavery—the implication being that such people valued white people over black people. Lately the term “snowflake” has transformed into another slang insult. It is used against young people of the 2010 generation. There are groups that consider this generation weak and vulnerable - as a speck of snow. They are derisively called the “snowflake generation.” Furthermore, the conservative wing of our country calls liberals and progressives “snowflakes” as a put-down. They insinuate that such people are delicate, fragile, sensitive - who melt at the slightest difficult moment. I will never think of my beloved image of a snowflake like I used to! Snowflakes – my symbol of peace -have become politicized and weaponized in the polarizing climate of our country.
Despite the turmoils here at in our nation, in our world, and in our very hearts, it is the Advent Sunday of peace. Our readings this morning give us biblical images of peace: Isaiah and John the Baptist describe peace as every mountain and hill is brought low. The peace of every valley filled. The peace of every crooked path made straight.
Ancient Israel, as is modern Israel, is a very hilly country. There are at least three mountain ranges, four major valleys in a country no bigger than New Jersey. Seven hills surround Jerusalem alone. Those of us on the Israel pilgrimage back in May can attest to the curves and swerves our bus had to make as it snaked its way to various sights. There was no main street in the town of Nazareth – currently a working village that we visited. Nazareth is built into a hillside – we followed curvy, rocky paths – no smooth walking there! In fact, most of our walking had to be down carefully. The same is true at the entrance into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives – we discovered a significant incline – so it was a slow and tedious descent for us - it demanded that we be alert and careful to the uneven terrain.
In our modern life, we are so used to straight paths, roads sidewalks and streets. Even if a road is a little slopey - like 175th street coming down from Hillside Avenue– it’s still a pretty straight go. It’s hard to imagine spending much of our travel time going up and down, bending this way and that -navigating the stony and uneven parts of the road. But that was the reality of first century Israel – what Jesus and his disciples faced. Such paths, so common in ancient Israel – were difficult and dangerous. So, the words of Isaiah, echoed by John the Baptist, depict a Messiah who makes the path straight and simple for us. A Messiah who is on the level with us – who shows us the direct way to God. A way to God with no detours, no complications, no dangers or difficulties.
Let’s think about this for a moment: don’t mountains and valleys exist in our hearts? Don’t mountains and valleys exist in the collective heart of humanity? Each of us has faced a life of highs and lows. Each of us knows the gulf created by mountains of disagreements, resentments, fears, pride or greed. We also know the valleys of depression and defeat, being put down and made to feel low. Furthermore, we find ourselves in a huge global gap between human predators of all stripes and shapes and the preyed-upon. Between the higher-ups and the lower downs. The haves and have nots. The hawks and the doves. The self-styled strong and the snowflakes.
Advent reminds us there cannot be peace when humanity allows a minority to live lavishly on the mountains and the majority are consigned to valleys of woe. The prophets Isaiah and John call us to the holy task of peace, peace in our hearts from following the ways of God, ways that are straight for everyone, easy for all, and not just a few. Peace in our world is an extension of peace that is rooted in our hearts through Jesus and spreads out into our life together in community. The reverse is also true: when we have peace in our communities – our hearts are filled with peace as well. Peace is a two-way street.
The Bible teaches us that Peace is the spiritual power to bring down those mountains of hate and resentments. To raise up the valleys of crushed spirits brought low by sin or oppression. To straighten what’s been made crooked, or complicated, or twisted in our hearts, in our world. This of how peace permeates our Christian life.
When we say, “Peace be with you” in the passing of the peace here in church aren’t we actually saying, “May you live well!” When the carol extols us to “sleep in heavenly peace” don’t we pray for respite that has conquered the mountains of worry or strife? When we wish for the “Peace on earth” that the Christmas angels proclaim, don’t we profess a straight path of faith that leads us Jesus Christ? That is why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Because Jesus is the straightway – the direct way – to God. Jesus reconciles us with God and brings the peace to our hearts and to all the troubled places in our world.
So, today, Advent peace would have us pray for God’s power to tear down the mountains that prejudice, oppression and war built up in our lives and our communities. Mountains that separate us from each other. Advent peace makes a direct path -a path with no roadblocks or obstacles – in order that God’s love to reaches all people. With such peace, no one has to live in the valley of despair.
You know what? I may sound silly, but I reclaim the peace of the single snowflake and its ability to calm me and direct me to the goodness of God. I invite you to do the same today. Welcome peace into your life – however it manifests itself. The smile of a child. Letting go of resentments and fears that tangle up the heart. Let Christ’s peace make a straight way to the center of your being. And together let us work to bring a corner of peace to our earth – wherever God has placed us. Tear down mountains that divide us. Fill those valleys that separate us. Make straight a path to love and acceptance. And when those mountains are finally worn down, when the valleys are finally filled, and the path straightened that leads us directly to the Prince of Peace, may we finally get a glimpse of glorious peace on earth. Peace for every aching, breaking, hurting, hoping heart. May that be our goal for this week and forever more. Thanks be to God.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/economic-inequality-it-s-far-worse-than-you-think/
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/01/07/5-facts-about-economic-inequality/
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/19/world/wealth-inequality/index.html
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