Received an email this morning from the editor for the Bible study, called Learning God’s Story of Grace in my proposed version. They are discussing titles and he asked me for a 3-5 sentence summary of the concept of shalom. I knew that was impossible — describing shalom is like describing love — best done with pictures of it and as soon as you show one, you think of another. Just see the difficulty John has describing it in Revelation 21-22.

Anyway, two things: one — if you have any suggestions for a title for a Bible study that takes people through the shalom structure of our lives in creation-fall-redemption-consummation, I will certainly send it on. Second — found this old post in my search for “shalom.” Since we’re getting near the Christmas season, I figured it wasn’t too early to put it up there. Besides, this isn’t really just a Christmas hymn — it’s a hymn of redemption:

“His Gospel Is Peace” is a line from…name that Christmas hymn:

Yes, O Holy Night.  The lyrics are rich in their declaration of the power and transformation that came to this “weary world” with the birth of our “dear Savior.”  Even so, today I am going to ignore all of the other lines to focus on just four words.  I pray these four words will get stuck in my head and yours as we move into our own weary world today with a gospel of peace.

Gospel: translates the word euangelion, which historically meant a message of “good news.”  Not merely a newspaper headline message, though.  This announcement meant that the king had conquered the land and called for the hearers’ allegiance.

His:  This is the gospel of the conquering King, Christ, the only one who can truly conquer the cosmos for our good and God’s glory.  This isn’t just the next fallen person ascending the throne.  This is God, who loved us so much he became human and died for us, so we might truly surrender our agendas to his wise and loving care.

Peace:  Biblical peace is always about shalom, which is not simply the Hebrew word for hello and good-bye.  Shalom is “the way things ought to be,” a universal flourishing, the kind where lions lie down with lambs and Auburn fans kiss Alabama fans.  Shalom is the right rendering of the world.  Look around you…  See anything broken?  Friendships, family relationships?  Light bulbs need replacing or laundry needs doing — again?  Chemotherapy or climate issues?  His gospel of peace rights every wrong you can see or imagine.

Is: Always was, is now, and ever shall be.  The Gospel story wasn’t PLAN B; it has been God’s plan for establishing shalom forever since the beginning of the world and will continue to be until the end of this temporary story we are living.

Here’s the take-home message:   it’s a “syllogism,” as I learned from studying rhetorical terms with my daughter last night:

If His gospel is peace, and we are Christ’s followers,

then

Our gospel is peace too.

Into what wrecked realm or relationship will you bring his gospel of peace today?  Just one caution — don’t forget as I often do and accidentally try to bring YOUR gospel of peace.  It is HIS GOSPEL of PEACE that reigns forever and ever.  His gospel is peace.  His gospel is peace.  Sing it with me today and every day!