The Prince of Peace is Born for Us

Christ in the Rubble, Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, Photograph by Rev. Munther Isaac

“For a child has been born for us, 
    a son given to us; 
authority rests upon his shoulders, 
    and he is named 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 
(Isaiah 9:6 NRSV) ​

Every year, the celebration of Christ’s birth is a significant moment for Christians all over the world. As I reflected on the meaning of Christmas this year, I could not help but think of how the land of Jesus’ birth is in turmoil. This is even more poignant for us in the World Day of Prayer movement because our sisters from WDP Palestine wrote our liturgy for the upcoming celebration on March 1, 2024. It has been difficult for me to send out a Christmas message when there is so much conflict and strife. 

As I reflected on Jesus being born in a manger because there was no room at the inn, I could not help but think of the nativity scene put on the altar space this year at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. In this nativity, Jesus is born in the rubble, calling to mind the many children who have been killed in Gaza over the last few months. This scene reminds us that the Prince of Peace comes to us in humble and struggling places.  

I am also struck by the angelic appearance before the shepherds, one of the most compelling elements of the birth story. The angels appeared to these humble shepherds with a glorious spectacle, announcing the birth of the Messiah. The angels told them not to be afraid, but to go and find the infant wrapped in a humble cloth, lying in a humble manger. Those shepherds went immediately, and after seeing the Christ child, they shared the good news of what they had seen and experienced. This tells me that whoever we are, however humble or insignificant we feel, we are called to go and see God coming into the struggling places in the world. Like the shepherds, we, too are called to share all we have seen and experienced. 
 
The three wise men in the story also hold a lesson for us today. They recognized Jesus as the Son of God, but they also understood that he was a human being who could be hurt. With their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the wise men treated the child with reverence, while also giving valuable gifts that could provide care and material support. We are also called to treat each other with reverence, especially those who are most vulnerable. And, we are called to provide gifts that can nurture and protect each other. 

The Prince of Peace is born for us, among us, and within us. Love is born, even in the humblest of places. And we are called to witness those moments of birth, and to bring gifts with great reverence as we recognize God being born again and again. 
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In closing, I want to share a song that we sing at my church every year on New Year’s Eve - 

Let there be love shared among us, let there be love in our hearts,  
and may this love never leave us on this earth. 

In our World Day of Prayer movement, we are committed to sharing love among us as we pray together across great distances. May this season bring peace to the world, and love to every heart. May all who are suffering, especially our Palestinian and Israeli sisters, experience love being born even amidst the rubble. ​

- Joyce Larko Steiner, WDPIC Chairperson