“IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE LIVING LIFE IN PEACE.” Nice sentiments from singer/songwriter John Lennon back in 1971, (Yikes! That’s almost 35 years ago!), but sadly his basis for this peace leaves him sorely wanting.
His lyrics begin,

Imagine there’s no heaven,
it’s easy if you try
no hell below us
above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

He felt that if we can only remove heaven and hell and get all the people to just live in the present moment, then everything will eventually work out, then there will be peace. Tragically, our world seems to be giving Lennon’s philosophy a try, and sadly we are discovering that removing heaven and hell and living for today has not brought the one-world peace for which we have so longed.
True peace comes not from the extinguishing of heaven and hell but from fully embracing the God who created both. True peace is ours when we receive the Gift of God, who is Jesus Christ. He is the One who is the Prince of peace. It is by His arrival and through His sacrificial atoning death and His triumphant resurrection that we are able to gain first and foremost peace with God and then the peace of God. It is a peace that surpasses all comprehension and a peace that will guard our hearts and minds even though the sundry wars of this world wage around us.
This Christmas season my prayer is that you will come to personally know the true Prince of peace, and allow His grace-filled peace to flood your soul. Choose to follow Him, whose power can save you from hell, and give you the expectant joy of heaven, and the grace to live for today.