For a child is born
to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders.
These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Sometimes
in our non-monarchy society, the importance of royal titles isn’t fully
appreciated. I didn’t appreciate them. Then I discovered it; British Period
Drama. My recent favorite centers around the importance of title. Not only that
the title was passed from male to male, but the responsibility, the respect and
the power that comes along with the title. Each Christmas I sing along with
Handel’s Messiah and belt out “Wonderful. Counselor. Almighty God. The
Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.” It wasn’t until recently that the
title Prince of Peace stood out to me. What does it mean that Jesus is the
Prince of Peace? He is the Prince of
Peace. He is sovereign over it. It is his to bestow on those he chooses.
Imagine coming before the Prince in all his royal robes. His father sits behind
him on the throne. Frantic and frenzied, weighed down by the worries of this
life, you make your way toward the Prince. As you come closer, he extends his
hand to you. You grasp his outstretched hand and fall at his feet. As he bends,
he gently takes you into his embrace and whispers into your ear, “My peace I
give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.”
Prince of Peace,
draw me near to you. Forgive me for not trusting you fully. Help me to loosen my
grasp on my worries and burdens of this life. Please bestow on me your
everlasting peace.
