The 12 Blogs of Christmas: Part 3 "O Come Emmanuel"

This blog is written with a heavy heart in response to today's tragedy. I was even hesitant to post anything about the lives lost in Connecticut considering it might be in bad taste to use such a moment in history to fill a quota for my "12 Blogs of Christmas" challenge. I post anyway, however, because it is in moments like these that I'm reminded of this world's need for a Prince of Peace. We need the words of Jesus to saturate our hearts and shape the way we live. Words like this:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."

Why is this relevant for today? I think Jesus is trying to tell us that as long as we are people who get angry with our brother or sister, we have it within us to murder. It is a hard reality, but Jesus gives us some step to deal with this problem. "[If] your brother or sister has something against you... go and be reconciled," and "Settle matters quickly with your adversary." These are the words of one whose hometown was also a place where children were murdered.

So before we try to figure out where to place the blame for this tragedy, maybe we should ask ourselves if we are following the Savior's command to make peace on every level. May His Kingdom come and His will be done... we need it.