Jesus Christ - The Prince of Peace

Jesus Christ is the giver of peace, The Prince of Peace.  Isiah prophesied of Jesus Christ years before his birth, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isiah 9:6).  

I know this, because the Savior brings peace to my life.  It is true peace, long-lasting peace, and abiding peace that I cannot find in the world - only through Him and because of His atonement.  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”  (John 14:27).  This peace comes to me as I think of Him, read of Him, come to Him, and ponder on all that His life and teachings mean to me. 

At Church on Sundays, during the sacramental service, the congregation and I recommit to Him and promise, or covenant, to (1) take upon us His name (to be like Him and stand as His witness), (2) to always remember Him as we go about our days, not just on Sunday or while we are at Church - but always, and (3) to keep His commandants.  Keeping His commandants is one way we show Him that we love Him – “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:5).  As we do these things, we are promised that we might have His spirit to be with us.  For me, that’s a wonderful promise and the key to peace - having Christ's spirit with me always.  And yet sometimes it is hard to always make happen.  Especially in a fast-paced world where there is constant commotion and things and people that divert our attention.  I am not perfect and occasionally I'll miss, but I have found and learned, that if I find time each day to focus on Him through my scripture reading and study; as well as meaningful, personal prayer and ask in prayer for His spirit to be with me, I feel peace that comes from Him, His spirit.  This causes my days to be better and calmer and happier and I'm able to make better decisions and handle situations better.  His peace reduces the stresses in my life.  He is the Prince of Peace and I hold fast to His promise, “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”  (D&C 59:23).

This time of year is full of stress as we prepare and get ready for Christmas, a celebration of Christ's birth.  Think about it.  It does sound crazy.  But I do it.  It happens to the best of us.  Hurrying around making this, buying that, preparing this and that, finding that one perfect gift and getting frustrated when we cannot find it, and spending too much money.  Many of these things do not result in considerable peace.  In essence, true peace comes from something and someone who desires us to be calm and patient, peaceful and kind, loving and long-suffering.  Surely there is need for improvement in how I prepare and my family and I celebrate Christmas.

The visiting teaching message for this month, “The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace” has opened my eyes to this subject and has caused me to reflect on it these past several days.  As I’ve done so, I’ve seen some connections and helps along the way.  I know these are not coincidences, but from a loving Heavenly Father that has put them in my path and the spirit that teaches me and allows me to recognize and make the connection back to Christ and His peace.  I’d like to share a few of these resources. 

First, when my own visiting teachers came and visited me earlier this month, the message was personalized just for me.  One of the ladies has a special gift to do that, to take scriptures or experiences and substitute her name or others to make it individually special.  It brought me amazing peace when I heard it.  Having it personalized for me made it meaningful and real.  Published in the December 2014 Ensign, it was from a dream Elder Melvin J. Ballard had years ago.  This is what the personalized version was for me:

LuAnn found herself one evening in the dreams of the night in that sacred building, the temple. After a season of prayer and rejoicing she was informed that she should have the privilege of entering into one of those rooms, to meet a glorious personage, and, as she entered the door, she saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious being her eyes have ever beheld or that she ever conceived existed in all the eternal worlds.

As she approached to be introduced, He arose and stepped towards her with extended arms, and He smiled as He softly spoke her name. If she shall live to be a million years old, she shall never forget that smile. He took her into His arms and kissed her, pressed her to His bosom, and blessed her, until the marrow of her bones seemed to melt! When He had finished, she fell at His feet, and, as she bathed them with her tears and kisses, she saw the prints of the nails in the feet of the Redeemer of the world. The feeling that she had in the presence of Him who hath all things in His hands, to have His love, His affection, and His blessing was such that if she can receive that of which she had but a foretaste, she would give all that she is, all that she ever hopes to be, to feel what she then felt!

… She sees Jesus not now upon the cross. She does not see His brow pierced with thorns nor His hands torn with the nails, but she sees Him smiling, with extended arms, saying to us all: “Come unto me!”

Surely I have not had that experience, yet.  But, wow, it just fills me with a great amount of peace and happiness and hope.  I can see it in my mind, standing before the Savior.  I can imagine the true joy I would feel.  It makes me feel loved and causes me to feel a greater amount of love for my Savior.  I know I’ll see Him one day and I hope the experience is very similar to what is described.  If I ever feel overwhelmed, I know this reminder will feel me with peace from Him – The Prince of Peace.   Try it yourself; re-read Elder Melvin J. Ballard’s dream but this time use your name.  

Second, was a recent post from LDS Living - "7 Ways to Replace Stress with Peace from Elder Scott".   The post references back to Elder Scott’s April 2013 Conference Message entitled, "For Peace at Home".  For me, these words are obviously timely, sound and true advice from an apostle of the Lord.  It’s too lengthy to reprint here, so I've included the hyperlinks.  Great stuff, please read them. 

Finally, another resource was from a Christmas song by Amy Grant, "I Need a Silent Night".  I first heard this song a few years ago, maybe even just last year.  I loved the song, probably because I could totally relate.  I would listen to it over and over again on YouTube while working in the kitchen, until I finally decided to buy the song and just add to my music collection.  As I listened to the song again this week and focused my thoughts on the words, it reminded me what we all seek – not just a silent night, but more peace during the hectic, busy Christmas season.  Yep, another connection was made!  True peace comes and the one who gives us that peace is The Prince of Peace.  The music lyrics are below.   For me, instead of an “angel voice”, it is the spirit, the spirit of the Lord that I hear.  [This was kind of fun, I even found a video of David Archuleta singing this song too.]

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night
(http://www.songlyrics.com/amy-grant/i-need-a-silent-night-lyrics/#6H8vvKYTQiBmW5QF.99)

The Savior brings peace to my life. How blessed I feel to know  and experience this.  I love Him.  I'm grateful for His life, His example and His incomprehensible atoning sacrifice. 

To conclude, I wish you all a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of The Prince of Peace.  Jesus Christ is Christmas!  I echo that “He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.  His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son” (The Living Christ: Testimony of the Apostles)  May you see evidence of His peace this season and throughout the New Year.