advent week 4 - the prince of peace
"For unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is the Reason for the Season and He is the Prince of PEACE. In the midst of the chaos to get my long “to-do” list done, sometimes my mind and heart wander away from the REAL reason for the season. I do feel uncomfortable with the commercial focus of this most sacred “Holy Day” time of year. But I thank Jesus for whispering to me to find solitude through playing the piano and Christmas carols.
I like familiarity. Outside of the classical music, when I was young, I longed to play songs I recognized. My “happy place” was in Christmas carols. The first tradition of the season: Caroling on Thanksgiving and through the holidays to get me focused on Jesus (even into the new year!).
My aunt, who started me off with the ‘basics” of piano, taught me the song, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” The music flowed and really allowed me to move to the tempo of the music while playing. Reflecting now on the words, the author, Edmund H. Sears, was truly inspired to fill us with His rescuing PEACE from Jesus’ first coming at Christmas to His glorious second coming in the future.
Verse 3 points us to the PEACE we need in our heavy, burdensome world today:
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toll along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!
Then verse 4 reminds us:
The Prince of PEACE, their King
And saints shall meet Him in the air,
And with the angels sing.
That true PEACE, Shalom, being made whole again in a complete relationship with God the Father, can only be found through His Son, the PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS.
What brings you PEACE during the holidays? What traditions help you focus your heart and mind on Jesus as the Reason for the Season and the peace He brings us?by Dr. Liz Berbano
Annandale, VA
Liz joined Body & Soul® Fitness when she transitioned out of the army 15 years ago. The exercise of mind, body, and spirit as well as words to the songs help her continue to grow and passionately serve him as Assistant Regional Director in northern VA, mentored by beautiful leaders in the Body & Soul® family. Liz teaches Body & Soul® in Annandale, VA.
Body & Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.
Key words: Christian fitness, women's exercise classes, group fitness, dance aerobics classes, Christian group fitness, Christian fitness app, FitTV, Body & Soul, Body and Soul, fitness instuctor training, low impact exercise
