Inside this tract are the following words:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government
shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
These words were spoken about 700 years
before the birth of Jesus. This child was
long awaited and the expectations on him
were staggering. How could one person bring
about world peace?
Israel was desperate for peace. It was a small
nation, surrounded by powerful enemies and
facing constant threat. In Jesus time they were
under Roman rule. It wasn’t just political peace
they longed for though, it was peace with God.
Israel, the chosen people, were constantly
facing the wrath of the Almighty for their
unfaithfulness and disobedience.
Jesus brought peace with God, for Israel and
for any who believe in his name. As a later
prophecy from Isaiah put it, ‘upon him was the
chastisement that brought us peace, and with
his wounds we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:5) The
Prince of Peace would give his life in place of
ours and because of his death, we have a life
that will never end.
Peace may feel like a faraway concept for you
this Christmas. Maybe you feel despair at
the political landscape, perhaps your family
are at loggerheads, or maybe you are just
overwhelmed by the demands of life.
This Christmas, spend time with the Christchild and experience the peace he offers.
With a hand made star and various textures in this story telling piece of art. This design conveys a simple but powerful message of the peace Jesus offers.