Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:7).

What if Christmas is actually the beginning of a glorious victory celebration?

What if we’re celebrating an invasion?  The invasion of Good, of Light, of Justice, of Truth, of Life, of Shalom – the invasion of God’s Good Future into our dark and death-haunted Now?

“Peace on earth” is the hope we express each year at Christmas.  Peace means that the war has come to an end, because the victory has been won.

“To us a child is born … of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”  Peace is the result of the Child’s reign and rule, of his government.  But unlike every king and every government we have ever known, this works differently.  The kingdom that brings peace is offered but never coercively imposed.  It works like seed growing in a field rather than armies clashing violently.  It is treasure hidden in a field rather than treasure brutally extracted and expropriated.  In the endless bins filled with plastic and counterfeit jewelry, it is the one genuine pearl, and it is right there in front of us.

What if we’re celebrating an invasion?  It’s an invasion, not by massed armies and the materials of war and death, but by a single man.  The man who is the King slips into the arena of our warfare without spear, sword, shield or armor, without an army, without the support of government, institutions or the population.  This man is an invasion based not upon acquiring more and more power but rather on releasing All the Power There Is.  It’s an invasion not based on humiliating, crushing and destroying enemies but on rescuing and transforming them, recreating enemies as beloved, as friends, as treasured family members. The surrender of a single enemy combatant – you! – brings as much joy to the Invader as the capitulation of empires.

It’s an invasion which, because its victory has already been secured, is content to move patiently and kindly.  It doesn’t boast, it isn’t proud or rude or self-seeking.  It is not easily angered, and, strange as it may sound, keeps no record of all the many wrongs it has suffered.  This King does not require you to die for him; instead, the King lays down his life for you.  

Merry Christmas, Chatham Community Church!  May we experience a fresh invasion of the righteousness and peace and joy that are the hallmarks of the Kingdom that has come already, is coming always and which will arrive, and abide, eternally, in Christ our King.

Come, Lord Jesus!  You have come as a child, and have told us that we must be as children in order to enter your kingdom.  You have come as the Crucified One, and have told us to take up our crosses and follow you.  You are the Risen One and have promised us that you are our resurrection and life.  As we celebrate your birth and every last blessing that eternally flows from it, we say, we sing, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!